Gregory Keith Ortiz

Gregory Keith Ortiz, 59, of Westminster, CA died unexpectively Jan 2, 2016 in the home of his sister, Janet Cravener. He was born September 3, 1956 in Greenville, SC to Hector and Dolly Ballew Ortiz. Surviving him are his sister, Janet Lynn Cravener and his brother, Christopher Allen Ortiz, and his sister’s three sons, Jonathan Llyn, William James, and Gregory Keith Cravener, who are all in the armed forces and his brother, Chris’ two sons, Alexander Gregory and Christopher Allen Ortiz Jr.

Greg was the manager of the Carmike Theater in Cleveland, TN and manager of other theaters in other cities. He also served in security at Lee University in Cleveland, TN where he received his BA in Science, and he served as security in West Ed Naval Educational Facility in the Los Angeles area. Greater than all employment that he ever had, he loved working at West Ed and loved the people he worked with there. He never wanted to leave that employment. He stilled played softball with the staff of the WestEd education facility where he has worked for several years.

Although, Greg never married nor had children, he became a father figure to his sister three sons. Two of his nephews were named for him, Gregory Keith Cravener, his sister’s son and Alexander Gregory Ortiz, his brother, Chris’ son. When Alex was first born, his uncle Greg would stand over him hours at a time, watching his every move. Uncle Greg was not able to spend as much time as he would have liked with his nephew Christopher Allen Jr. as Chris and his wife Jina Filer lived far away when (Allen) was born, but uncle, Greg loved to spend time with him as often as he could. Greg and his brother, Chris had a special relationship which only grew closer in their mature years, and they spent good times together when they could meet in different locations. Greg loved children and became, uncle to many of his friends’ children. Greg and his brother, Chris had a special relationship! They loved to discuss political topics together, and they solved many political issues, un-be known to the government.

Funeral services are being held at noon on Thursday, January 7th at the Brookside Funeral Home with Bishop Mark Menke, Bishop Jesse Yanez, Bishop Compton Wharton and very special Guest, Bishop Sam Clements who is the General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy, which is a worldwide Pentecostal Church. Graveside services will be held at Earthmans Resthaven Funeral Home Cemetery.

Three of the favorite things he liked to do were watching movies and watching baseball and football.

Greg was richly blessed by a host of very close friends who he who he treasured.

The Ortiz Family live scattered across the United States and because of this, several years ago they began a very special tradition of meeting in different state for Thanksgiving. Some of the locations were Cleveland TN, Nashville, TN, St. Louis, MO, New York, City, etc. Their last and most favorite location was in Rome, Italy which they just celebrated this past December. They were home only a few short days and then came the Christmas season and mom and dad called Greg for him to join them and the other family in Houston, TX for Christmas. Mom and Dad and two of his nephews bought and paid for Greg’s ticket for him to come to Houston for Christmas and New Years. He especially looked forward to spending Holidays with Mom and his siblings. He was an avid movie buff, and he spent his last two days watching the Super football playoffs with his family in Houston.

The Ortiz children had very special aunts and uncles figures who were his father’s close friends since his high school years. They are: Mario and Naomi Gandia, Eddie and Carmen Padilla and Louis Aviles, and Louis’ wife Edna who became a part of this intimated circle about 25 years ago.

Greg gave his heart to God under his father’s ministry, Dr. Hector Ortiz, and joined the Church of God of Prophecy under the pastorate of Bishop Steve Couch in Lubbock, TX. Greg was so thankful that his parents taught him that the most important lesson in life was to serve God. In his conversation he continually talked about his Lord and the rich blessings he enjoyed with Him. His favorite phrase was “The Lord is blessing me.” Greg attended two prominent Pentecostal/Charismatic churches in the Los Angeles, CA area

Greg’s parents, Dr. Hector Ortiz and his wife, Dolly along with their children want to sincerely thank all who have been so wonderful and supportive to them and their family during this most difficult time in their lives, and to give special thanks to our pastors, Lance and Linda Johnson of the Church of God of Prophecy, Cyfair in Houston Texas where their membership is and has been for many years, and to all the members and friends who have brought food to their family during this time and they want to especially give thank and honor to their spiritual children, Mark and Jenny Menke, Compton and Margaret Wharton and Jesse and Isabel Yañez and their other spiritual children, scattered around the world who could not come and be with them in this trying time.