Pedro Garcia Ortiz

Our beloved Pedro “Naco” Ortiz passed away on March 20, 2024 in Austin, Texas. He was comforted and surrounded by his family. Pedro was born in Uhland Texas on February 17, 1934 and had recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alberto Ortiz Sr. and Santos Garcia Ortiz. Pedro is survived by the love of his life, Frances “Kika” Ortiz, to whom he was married for 68 wonderful years. They have nine children; Rupert Ortiz Sr. and his spouse Pam, Roland Ortiz and his spouse Jenny, Joel Ortiz and his spouse Suzy, Peter Ortiz, Benjamin Ortiz Sr. and his spouse Debbie, Roy Ortiz and girlfriend Gloria, Carolyn Ortiz and her spouse Donna, Jaime Ortiz and Adrian Ortiz. They have eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Naco and Kika raised their family in Austin in the Montopolis neighborhood. Pedro grew up in Hays County and worked during his childhood planting and picking crops. His fond childhood memories included occasional rides in a mule drawn wagon with his siblings to the big town of Kyle to get an ice cream. Pedro worked at the old Mrs Baird’s Bread bakery in East Austin when he married and had second jobs to support his family – seasonal work, carpentry, and construction labor. He became a skilled backhoe operator which led to a successful career owning and operating Naco Swimming Pool Company and was granted a patent for inventing a swimming pool cleaning system. While Pedro Ortiz had minimal schooling, he truly was brilliant. He worked tirelessly all of his life. He was a cherished husband, father, and friend. Pedro will be lovingly remembered and immensely missed by all who loved him.