Eddie Cortez, Sr.

He served our country and was stationed in Alaska until receiving an honorable discharge from the army on May 23, 1958.

Eddie had a love for fast pitch softball. He actively played right field well into his 50’s, and was given the nickname of “Fast Eddie”. He played for Rice Hotel, Houston Tigers, Hawks, Los Compadres, Miriachi Bar, La Raza, 2nd Ward “Old Timers” and Bulls “Old Timers”. Eddie participated in many tournaments in Texas as well as Mexico. His favorites were the Latin American Tournament at Memorial Park and Latin Legends at Settagast Park.

He retired from Harris County in 2000 where he worked in the Engineering Department and also for the late Commissioner Jim Fonteno.

In his spare time Eddie loved saltwater fishing in Matagorda with friends and family where he would spend countless hours on the pier waiting to catch a big red or speckled trout. If that didn’t happen, it was time for a nap on the pier. He also would travel to Louisiana with his wife to try his luck on the slot machines and of course to eat the endless seafood buffet.

Eddie was known to everyone as the photographer and loved taking pictures at every event he attended such as family functions, dance recitals, baseball games, school activities or just at home. He was technologically challenged and would never think of using a digital camera. He preferred toting around his bulky camera bag and developing his film at Walmart.

He loved his family and extended family and would have done anything for them. He cherished the time he spent with his children and granddaughter and was totally devoted to his family and their needs. Eddie set aside several hours daily, passing on his love of baseball to his son and coaching his daughter in the pool as they grew up.

He is preceded in death by his father John Cortez; Mother Julia Cortez and nephew Christopher Cortez.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Liz Cortez; his daughter Krystyna Cortez of Houston, Tx.; his son Eddie Cortez, Jr. and wife Jane of El Paso, Tx.; granddaughter Kaydence Linebarger of Houston, Tx.; his brothers Gilbert Medinilla and wife Gloria of Camarillo, Ca.; Henry Cortez of Houston, Tx.; his sisters Raquel Cortez of Commerce, Ca.; Irene Mesa and husband Paul of Houston, Tx.; Becky Loper and husband Carl of Houston, Tx.; his brother-in-laws Richard Clark and wife Diana of Conroe, Tx.; Fred Clark of Conroe, Tx.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.