David Villalobos Cortez

A Committal Service will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr, Adel, IA 50003, US, on April 2, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 2:15 pm.

David Villalobos Cortezborn February 17, 1945 in San Antonio, TX. He received his degree from Northeast Missouri University in Kirksville, MO. He met Sandra (Dillard) Cortez after dating they married on October 21, 2006 in Des Moines, IA

David is a Vietnam Veteran for the U.S. Army. Retired as a Spanish-English Interpreter for the Federal Public Defender’s Office of Iowa. He once held the roles of High School Spanish Teacher and Parole/Probation Officer.

Hobbies: David was a passionate tennis fan and in his earlier years could be found competing in local competitions. If he wasn’t playing tennis, he was watching it on TV. He also loved keeping up with yard work, and offering a helping hand to neighbors with theirs.

David always looked at the positive side of things and could find a bit of humor in anything.

From 1987-1989, David was appointed by the Iowa Secretary of State into the Spanish Speaking People’s Commission of Iowa. David was extremely passionate about teaching others Spanish no matter where he went. He loved teaching people new words.

David was a big fan of watching the news, sports, and outdoorsy shows. David was a big fan of Bluegrass music and Tejano music.

Preceded in death by siblings Vicenta, Pedro (Pepe), and Jessie, father Pedro (Pete) Cortez, mother Senaida (Villalobos) Cortez, and son Troy Cortez. David is also preceded by his beloved Lhasa Apso “Ralphy.”

Survived by wife Sandra (Dillard) Cortez, daughter Tami (Cortez) Romano, sons Rodrigo Cortez and Richard Cortez, grandchildren Amanda, D.J., Alexa, Kaitlin, Norah, and Mason, great grandchildren; special sister-in-law Debra (Dillard) Gonzales, her husband Ronald Gonzales, their daughter Elizabeth (Gonzales) Enriquez, and their grandson Evan Moreno.

David is also survived by his best friend Bill Dane. They enjoyed going to eat at Mexican restaurants, and riding around listening to music by Johnny Cash..

David also leaves behind his beloved Miniature Dachshund “Bella”, and Schnau-Tzu “Snoopy.”