Raymond George Ortiz

     Raymond George Ortiz, age 90, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026, at MyMichigan Medical Center-Midland, Midland, MI.
     A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date in the spring.
     Raymond was born in Austin, TX on July 3, 1935, the son of Joseph G. and Guadalupe (Valles) Ortiz. Raymond came from a large family and was one of eleven children. Raymond graduated from St. Louis HS with his GED. On October 4, 1958, he married Doris Ruth Witmer in St. Louis, MI. They shared 67 years together. Raymond honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1955-1957, and went to Korea.
     Ray received a Certificate degree for Electric, Plumbing, and Heating. Ray was a very handy person and served as a maintenance person most of his working career. His first job after the army was in St. Louis at a local gas service station, until he met Mel Hutchinson and was employed by him in Alma for many years. He then moved over to working and managing Evergreen Village Estates in St. Louis for years until he slowed down and was self-employed working maintenance for a group of doctors in Alma. Ray had a servant’s heart and would always lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
     Ray volunteered at the Boys Club in St. Louis in the 70’s and mentored young men. He helped coach little league baseball locally with his boys Tim and Todd during those early years. Ray was a great athlete and enjoyed a lot of sports. He was always in attendance during those middle school and high school years that his sons played games. He loved golf and made Edgewood Hills his favorite club over the years and was always involved in a summer men’s league with his buddies.
     Ray loved to collect coins and was always buying coins over the years to check out their values. Ray had a love for hunting deer and also Pheasant hunting for many years with his Brittany Spaniels. Ray loved Jesus and served as a member of Oasis Community Church.
     He is survived by his wife Doris Oritz of St. Louis, MI; his sons: Tim (Mary) Ortiz of Jacksonville, FL; and Todd (Lori) Ortiz of Farwell, MI; his grandchildren: Morgan, Tyler, and Hannah. He is also survived by his siblings: Alicia Moody-Hughes, Virginia (Gary) Smith, Martina (Keith) Stewart, Felix (Becki) Ortiz, and Robert (Julie) Ortiz. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings: Gilbert Ortiz, Caroline Cisneros, John Ortiz, Mary Siminski, and Margaret Calkins.
     Memorials may be made to Oasis Community Church in Ithaca, MI. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.