Roland Gilbert Cortez, age 56, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2018 after fighting a courageous battle from diabetes-related heart and kidney problems.
Roland was born March 29, 1962 in Houston, Texas to the late Hortense Franco Cortez and Thomas Cortez. He attended St. Pius X High School where he played football with star quarterback, Gary ‘Koob’ Kubiak, former coach of the Houston Texans. Roland graduated from high school in 1981 and pursued a career in the restaurant and catering business. At the young age of 16, he started working at James Coney Island during the summer and after school and proudly worked his way up to being a Store Manager during the 24+ years he worked there. After a successful career at JCI, he worked at Barney’s Texas BBQ, The Backyard Grill, Sam Houston Race Park, and various concessions in the Houston area. If an event had anything to do with needing food or catering services of any type, Roland was the one to take care of it! He was one of the best caterers in the business because he took pride in everything he did!
Roland met his wife, Anna Marie Cerda Cortez, as a teenager working at James Coney Island. As the story goes, Anna went to JCI looking for a job and when Roland saw her, he encouraged his Manager to hire her because he fell head over heels for her at first sight! After graduating from high school, Roland and Anna married and had three children, Stephanie, Roland Jr., and Erick. Roland always made his family a priority in life and frequently had Roland Jr. or Erick by his side on whatever jobs he was working. They both proudly learned the restaurant and catering business just like their dad! And like his sons, Roland mentored a large number of cooks, caterers, and entrepreneurs in the restaurant business; some of which later went on to successfully open their own businesses!
Roland is preceded in death by his mother and father, Hortense Franco Cortez and Thomas Cortez, and his oldest brother, David Thomas Cortez. He is survived in death by his beloved wife, Anna Marie Cerda Cortez, Daughter Stephanie Cortez Andrade and husband (Robert), Sons, Roland Cortez Jr. and Erick Cortez, and five grandchildren, Grandson, Michael Thomas Cortez and Granddaughters, Alyssa Andrade, Selena Andrade, Kayla Andrade, and Giselle Cortez. He is also survived by his Sisters, Sylvia Sepulveda, Alma Luera, Nancy Ramirez and husband (George), Alice Olivas and Brother, Louis Cortez and his wife (Mary). Roland is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
The family will receive family and friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2018 at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home, 13102 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060, with the Celebration of Life Memorial Service to follow at 10:00 a.m., in the Chapel of Earthman Resthaven. A Reception will then be held in Roland’s honor at the Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive, Houston, Texas 77040.
The family wishes to extend their heart-felt thanks to staff at the Spanish Meadows Nursing & Rehab Facility, Cornerstone Hospital, The Backyard Grill, and all family and friends for their support and assistance during this time. We ask that everyone remember Roland as he was….full of life, energy, and he loved making people laugh…that is his legacy!
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