Thomas "Tito" Ortiz

        Thomas "Tito" Ortiz of Santa Fe passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, July 26th. He was born in Santa Fe on April 24, 1945 to George and Mary Ortiz. He grew up in a large, loving family on Cleveland Street, next door to aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother, and other family. He was named after his grandmother Tomasita who lovingly called him Tomatito which initiated his lifelong nickname, "Tito".  On June 3rd, 1967 he married JoAnn Martinez and together they  had four children.   

        Tito graduated from Santa Fe high school in 1964. One of Tito's proudest accomplishments was serving in the Army National Guard from 1967 to 1971 and he attended basic training at Fort Hood, Texas and Texarkana.  He earned the merit of Marksman (rifle) and served as a tracked vehicle mechanic in his support during the Vietnam War.  He was very proud of his Veteran Status. Tito worked for the US Forest Service as a Surveyor and then as the Fleet Manager and proudly supported many of the Hot Shot Crews until his retirement in 2004 after working 37 years.   

        In his retirement Tito continued to chase his dreams collecting all that he loved; cars, motorcycles, animals and any other things that caught his attention. Tito loved his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren and would do anything for them. He also loved classic cars, motorcycles, seafood, good music, outdoors and his beer. He enjoyed spending time at his home away from home at his beloved cabin in Los Brazos. He was instrumental for getting a fire station in Los Brazos as well as implementing the first fire truck to be donated by the US Forest Service to the Los Brazos community. In his freetime one of his hobbies was working as a silversmith. In the words of his grandson, he was "ICONIC".   

        Tito was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Ortiz. His siblings,  Beatrice Duran, Mary Lou and Atanacio Romero,  Tessie and Cirilo Martinez and George Ortiz; his inlaws, Jesus and Grace Martinez and great-grandchild (Halo). Jesusita "Susie" and Louie Trujillo. Tito is survived by his beautiful loving wife of 54 years, JoAnn Ortiz (Martinez); sisters-in-law Anita Ortiz and Kathleen Martinez (Frank); brother-in-law, Eddie Duran; his children, George Romero (Juanita), Tom Ortiz (Jennifer), TJ Ortiz, Tamarra Martinez (Francisco), Tiffany Gallegos (John); his grand children Letitia CdeBaca (Pete), Matthew Montano, Joey Ortiz, Cherise Ortiz(Fabian), Brandin Ortiz  (Shantal), Gabriel Martinez (Lauren), Mia Martinez, John Thomas Gallegos (Sophia), Chanel Gallegos, Amanda, Miranda, George Jr. and many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by aunts, nieces, nephews, and life long bestfriend, Albert Gonzales.  

        Serving the family as pallbearers will be: Tom Ortiz, TJ Ortiz, Tamarra Martinez, Tiffany Gallegos, John Gallegos and Francisco Martinez.    

        Serving as honorary Pallbearers are all of his grandchildren.  

        Public visitation will be held on Monday August 2, 2021 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Santa Fe, NM with a rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m. A Funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday August 3, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church  officiated by Father Garcia. Burial services to be determined by National Veteran's Cemetery.