Ezequiel Leroy Ortiz

Our Father, Brigadier General (brevet) Ezequiel “Zeke” Ortiz, passed away on August 29th after a

grueling battle with cancer. He was a generous, giving, kind hearted and hardworking man; and

maintained his grace and dignity until his last breath.

He honorably served our country. His military career spanned 38 years, 11 months and four days. He

rose through the military ranks, starting as an Air Force Airman and ending as a Colonel in the New

Mexico Army National Guard.

At age 18 with a high school diploma in hand, he enlisted in the Air Force. Once his enlistment ended

our father returned to Trinidad, Colorado, married our mother (Lilly), had two children (Mark and Lisa)

and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Our father’s college experience was not typical. He graduated from the University of Albuquerque in 2.5 years with a double major while working part-time as a bus driver and house painter.

In the late 1960’s he graduated from Officer Candidate School and became a Lieutenant. Two more children (LeeAnn and Matthew) were also added to our family.

Later in his life our father married Michelle Deuel and helped raise her daughter (Shelby). They were

happy and we are grateful to Michelle for taking such great care of him.

After retiring he couldn’t rest and accepted a position as the State Director of New Mexico’s Selective

Service System.

Dad was a beloved and active parishioner of St. Joseph’s on the Rio Grande. He was a proud Grand

Knight of the Knights of Columbus – Brother Mathias Barrett #10560, the head usher, a pastoral council

member as well as a volunteer for many other ministries.

Did we mention author? He and his friend Jim McClure co-authored the non-fiction book Don Jose: An

American Soldier’s Courage and Faith in Japanese Captivity.

Our father will be missed by many. Wife of 18 years Michelle, children, Mark (Darcy), Lisa (Mike),

LeeAnn (Scott), Matthew and step-daughter Shelby, seven grandchildren, Krista (Woodrow), Kevin,

Lora, Aubrey, Alyssa, Jack and Vincent, his surviving siblings Sam (Gayl), Linda, Kay (George) and

George (Delia) and our mother, Lilly.

A rosary followed by a mass will be held at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande on September 6th, 2018 at

8:15am. Later that afternoon, a burial service will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa

Fe, New Mexico at 1:30pm.

We would appreciate in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Knights of Columbus Council #10560

c/o St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church 5901 St. Joseph Drive NW Albuquerque, New

Mexico 87120.

We can’t end without mentioning our Dad’s great, quirky sense of humor! We just found out today he

started a singles group (yes…a singles group) called “Senior Singles from A to ZEKE.” It’s a social

group for singles 70+. If interested, sign-up sheets will be available at St. Joseph’s on Sunday,

September 2nd.

Leave it to our dad to make us laugh – he will be missed!

Our father will be missed by many. Wife of 18 years Michelle, children, Mark (Darcy), Lisa (Mike), LeeAnn (Scott), Matthew and step-daughter Shelby, seven grandchildren, Krista (Woodrow), Kevin, Lora, Aubrey, Alyssa, Jack and Vincent, his surviving siblings Sam (Gayl), Linda, Kay (George) and George (Delia) and our mother, Lilly.

A rosary followed by a mass will be held at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande on September 6th, 2018 at 8:15am. Later that afternoon, a burial service will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico at 1:30pm.

We would appreciate in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Knights of Columbus Council #10560 c/o St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church 5901 St. Joseph Drive NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120.

We can’t end without mentioning our Dad’s great, quirky sense of humor! We just found out today hestarted a singles group (yes…a singles group) called “Senior Singles from A to ZEKE.” It’s a social group for singles 70+. If interested, sign-up sheets will be available at St. Joseph’s on Sunday,  September 2nd. Leave it to our dad to make us laugh – he will be missed!