Richard Ortiz

Richard was born in 1942 to Amelia and Eliseo Ortiz in Arvin, CA, where he was raised and attended Arvin High, before graduating from East Bakersfield High School in 1960. It was that year he met his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Gonzales) Ortiz, with visits during her lunch breaks at BHS paying off, as they began their life together, enjoying 62 years of marriage.

A lifelong salesman, from lawncare and shoes to cars, Richard settled into his professional calling selling insurance as a Farmers Insurance Agent, proudly serving his many clients from his East Bakersfield agency for 27 years. He worked hard to support his two daughters, Yvonne (Mike) Ortiz-Bush, and Lori (Henry) Gonzalez.

Richard never met a stranger, and was a friend to many, especially lifelong best friends Tony Reed and Steve Arvizu. Even until his last days, you would hear Richard singing, no matter the setting, always with a smile, and he would share that talent singing in church choirs. In his younger days you would see Richard with a tennis racket or delivering his signature hook shot on a basketball court. In retirement, he enjoyed playing cards and spending time with his family in Carpinteria.

He cherished and longed to live for his grandsons Ricky (Krissy) and Emilio Gonzalez, and Stephen Bush, celebrating some of his proudest moments attending their school concerts, musicals, and sporting events, followed by college graduations, wedding, and most recently last fall, the ordination of Father Charles (Emilio) Gonzalez.

He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandpa, and great-grandpa to Lucas and Emilia, and his presence will be missed by so many of the lives he has touched. He is survived by his wife, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and brother Remey Ortiz. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Mary Lou Flores, Edward Ortiz, Rudy Ortiz, Cruz Ortiz, Bob Ortiz, Julian Ortiz, and Alice Sabbatini.

Richard’s funeral mass is 10:00am on Monday, March 24 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, beginning with a viewing at 9:00am and Rosary at 9:30am. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held following the funeral mass with location to be announced later. Burial service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery on Thursday, March 27, at 9:00am.