Carlos Ryan Ortiz

He is survived by his wife, Jean Ortiz; his mother, Maria Ryan Holmes; his son, Miguel Closner Ortiz and wife Yessica; his grandchildren: Taylor, Anthony, Monica, Angelina, Joseph and Joshua Ortiz; his great-grandson, Liam; his daughter-in law, Julia Vallejo Ortiz; his brother, Gilberto Ortiz; and the mother of his children, Bertha Closner Ortiz.

He was preceded in death by his sons: Jon Paul Ortiz and Carlos Closner Ortiz; daughter, Celina Ortiz; his father, Reymundo Ortiz; and brother, Reymundo Ortiz Jr.

He was born on November 18, 1939 in Edinburg, Texas. Carlos was a natural born leader, a force of nature, adventuresome, fearless and lived life to the fullest in his own unique way.

At the age of 17, he joined the Texas National Guard, where he progressed swiftly to Platoon Sergeant. He graduated from Edinburg High School; Pan American University (now University of Texas) in Edinburg, Texas; and from American Institute for Foreign Trade and International Management (Thunderbird- ASU). He did post graduate studies at New York University. He excelled in both academics and sports.

He was an international banker starting his career with Citibank New York and held various managerial positions with Citibank New York, Panama, El Salvador and was the General Manager of Citibank Nicaragua. After the revolution in Nicaragua, he returned to Texas and was the Vice President of Offshore Relations for Bank of the Southwest (now JP Morgan Chase). He later left banking to become an entrepreneur forming his own international company and also became consultant to the Interamerican Development Bank (IADB) and the Interamerican Investment Corporation (IIC).

He was active in civic activities, serving as the founding President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Nicaragua in 1974 and as faith would have it, he was also the last President, since he was re-elected President in 2022 and the government closed the chamber in 2024. He was also the President of the Bankers Association of Nicaragua. In Houston he was a founding member and past President of the Houston InterAmerican Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Board of Directors of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was a Member of the US Department of Commerce District Export Council of Houston.

Carlos had an extraordinary sense of humor, always telling jokes to anyone he met, from his family to friends and anyone he met that would listen.

He participated in many sports, and was outstanding at high school football and baseball. He also liked to go hunting with family and friends. However, his passion was fishing.

He enjoyed travelling. In particular after he and Jean retired, they were able to travel to several areas on his bucket list.

Carlos was compassionate and always looked out for people needing help. He loved his family deeply. He is now in a better place where he will have no more illness or suffering. His family and friends will miss and remember him forever, until we meet again.