Emilio Ortiz Obituary

EMILIO OLVERA ORTIZ

The man. The myth. The legend. Our Blue-Eyed father passed peacefully on June 30, 2025. Those who knew him called him Milio, but we called him DAD. He was a Simple Man who loved his own version of Charcuterie Board foods before they were famous. A great Salami, amazing cheeses, and the best-tasting Crackers were his favorite. But those who knew him well know that he absolutely ADORED pretty much any Sweets and Candy he could get his hands on, but his favorites were Triple C carrot cake, pan dulce, pumpkin empanadas from H-E-B, and he often asked me to purchase Blue Bell Strawberry Ice Cream for dessert. Emilio loved having the breakfast specials at Las Palmas almost every morning with his famous cup of coffee in hand while he enjoyed his time with my brother Adam, as he was his main caregiver after my brother's retirement.

Our dad taught us how to fish, hunt, and read the clouds for weather forecasts, as he was a Farmer and Rancher for most of his life. He also worked as a County Foreman and Heavy Equipment Operator, and then became a supervisor until his full retirement several years later. He loved chewing tobacco and a great Cigar every now and then with his Compadres. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bigfoot, Texas, as he also helped build the church when he was a young boy, which he wrote his name on the church wall under the final Stucco for Posterity, and it's there to this day. He showed respect to all he crossed paths with. He was an astonishing Heavy Equipment Operator and would make those Huge Machines Dance, an amazing sight to see.

Emilio was also great at spending time with his children and grandchildren and would take us to the coast, fishing, and teaching us how to swim in the Irrigation tank growing up in rural South Texas. We appreciated him as he taught us a simple way of life in the Country as we learned how to drive tractors, raise cattle, and grow anything he planted for harvest. He made people feel appreciated at times and was an expert marksman, hitting anything he aimed at with his guns, as well as teaching us how to throw an Axe with accuracy.

When it came to country living and a country lifestyle, he was one of the best in the business, and he loved doing it. Emilio loved to tell stories and was the best Prankster with an impeccable sense of humor. He loved reading novela novels, watching Western shows and movies with Marshall Matt Dillon, Ben Cartwright, and LOVED John Wayne and pretty much any True Cowboy were his favorite TV and movie heroes.

Most of all, he loved dancing to Los Relampagos and Los Tigres del Norte, fishing, and his MOST favorite was Arrowhead hunting at the ranch in the Bigfoot/Moore area. After every rainfall, we knew where to find him at every creek bed and stream with his massive collections. But most of all, he was the hero for his three children.

Emilio adored our mom and still asked me about her until his last days. There isn't enough space here to list all of the great things our dad was good at, but one thing for sure is that he LOVED his children and his family.

Dad was always a hard worker, the smartest man you would ever meet, and could survive any situation, which he passed on to his children. In between his many adventures, Emilio lived a good life for 91 years, and his 90th Birthday surprise was one of the best times of his life.

When Emilio took off for that last fishing trip into the sky, he left behind his sons, Adam Ortiz and Arturo Ortiz, his only daughter, Angela Ortiz, along with his eight grandchildren and his eight great-grandchildren.

Emilio passed away quietly at 11:05 a.m. on June 30th. In 2025 and he will be missed greatly. He is preceded in death by his mother, Petra Olvera Ortiz, his father, Elisandro Ortiz, his brothers Juan and Domingo Ortiz and his sisters Jovita, Antonia, Guadalupe, and Petra, and his living siblings: Jose, Maria, Julia, and Oralia.

The celebration of his life and Rosary will begin at 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 10th at Primrose Funeral Home in Devine, Texas.

The Mass and Funeral Service will take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bigfoot, Texas, on Friday, July 11th from 10:00 to 11:00, and his Interment will follow at Longview Cemetery.

We praise God for giving us our Father, and may He rest in peace.

WE LOVE YOU DAD, Fly High, and we will See You Again.

Services are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services. 303 W.College Ave, Devine, Texas 78016.