Richard E. Cortez January 19, 1931 – January 26, 2014

Memorial Services are pending and will be announced later. Online condolences HabingFamilyFuneralHome.com.
 Richard E Cortez was born January 19, 1931, to loving parents John and Sally Cortez in Oceanside, CA.   
 Mr. Cortez joined the US Navy and achieved the rank of Bosuns’ Mate Second Class.
 While serving his country, he was introduced to Lois Rensch of Bremerton WA. She was destined to become the woman he would spend 60 years blissfully married to. In 1957, their only son, Richard E Cortez II joined the family.
 Mr. Cortez was a respected business owner in the early days of their life in Gilroy and he eventually went to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He retired in 1992 after 35 years of service.
 Mr. Cortez was an active member of the Gilroy Elks for over 35 years and the Gilroy VFW.
 Mr. Cortez and his wife Lois enjoyed traveling and were an active part of a camping group called the “Vagabums” that included many of their dear friends from Gilroy.
 They also enjoyed cruises and traveled the oceans as far away as Australia and Europe. Their last cruise was to Alaska with their son in August of 2012.
 Mr. Cortez was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing the California coast in his boat for many years. He was enthusiastic about building and flying Remote Controlled Model Airplanes with his son and friends.
 Mr. Cortez was a devoted and loving family patriarch and is survived by his doting wife Lois Cortez, his friend and son Richard Cortez II and his caring ex-daughter in law, Wanda Poteet. Grandchildren who adored him, Ben Cortez (Paris Severson), Amanda Cortez (Skye Pohl) and Shannon Cortez. He was also blessed with a great-grandchild Jazmyn Carstens.
 Also surviving him are brother Bobby Cortez (Jean), sisters Anita Montana (Bill), Irene Chavez (Mickey), Dodie Blankenship, Carmen Powell, Genna Cramer and many loving nieces and nephews.