On January 18th, just after 3:00 pm, Ray Ortiz passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Ray was a fighter his entire life, and his battle with illness towards the end was no different. Ray was one of 6 children, he was born in Miami, NM in 1950, the family lived in Raton, NM. After he was born. The family then moved to LaSalle, Colorado in 1955. As a young boy, he was faced with a physical obstacle that dominated his entire left side, with limited use of his left hand. While he had limitations physically, he never let it deter him or preclude him from his aspirations or activities. He creatively crafted a makeshift winch to lower car engines to tinker and fix, he played basketball and always carried a go-getter attitude which he carried through his life. Ray had a brilliant mind, sharper than a tack, quick-witted, and made the room laugh with his outrageously dry, sarcastic humor. A sense of humor that could bring you to tears, and usually did. He was incredibly passionate about politics, and always fought for injustices; especially for minorities.

He broke many barriers as a young man, he was the first of his family to go to college, attending the University of Northern Colorado where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1972. Shortly after graduation, he worked at the Minority Council, which became a stepping stone for his career working with minorities. He was granted a scholarship for minorities to continue his education at The University of Denver, a scholarship that he worked hard to maintain receiving his Master's Degree in 1977. Ray served as a financial analyst for Martin Marietta and Coors Corporation the years following. In addition to working, Ray volunteered his time to the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It was at this time that he met Randy Serna, Antonio Villa, and Sharon Vigil, some of his closest friends and members of the Chamber. Ray participated in many events and then quickly became Treasurer and then Chairman of the Board. During his tenure as Chairman, the chamber was awarded regional and national chamber of the year awards. One of the most significant things to happen during this time was an incident involving Dan Issel of the Denver Nuggets. Issel made an insensitive ethnic remark and Ray, along with other leaders in the Chamber worked to gain a public apology. The two sides agreed to work together to benefit the community. Ultimately, the Chamber’s presence in the media, Issel resigned. Ray dedicated his life’s work to helping the Hispanic community, although it didn’t matter who you were, he would help in any way he could.

In 1982, Ray met a young stunner, Bernadette Cunningham. They initially met at a party where Ray had only been accompanying a friend. Bernadette struck up a conversation with an unsuspecting Ray, where she casually dropped that she worked a second job as a cocktail waitress at Benihana and that she had to leave the party for her shift. Later that evening while Bernadette was working, she noticed the man that she had met at that party sitting in the lounge waiting to see her again. His nerves had caused him to circle the parking lot five times before deciding to go in, but he had made up his mind that she was it. They married in Denver, Colorado in the spring of 1984 and spent their honeymoon in Mexico City, Mexico. In the fall of 1986, they welcomed their only child, Patrick. Shortly after Patrick was born, the family of three made the move to Harlingen, TX after Ray accepted a job offer from a former boss and close friend, Wayne Bodkin, with whom he worked for Martin Marietta. After 18 months in Harlingen, Ray received another contract to run the Denver Minority Business Center, so the family of three moved back to Colorado and settled in Arvada, Colorado.

As a father, Ray was a source of information, support, and guidance. As a little kid, Pat particularly remembers that his Dad would never miss a baseball practice, something they shared. Pat, like his father, developed an entrepreneurial spirit. Pat would tell Ray that he had a business idea to which Ray responded, “let’s do it, I believe in you, son,” it didn’t matter what it was. Pat looked to Ray for all of his major life decisions, his advice was wise, experienced, and cherished. Ray supported and took interest in Pat’s hobbies, and would make sure to watch and keep up with all of Pat’s sports teams, even though they were different, and cheered them on like a fan.

Ray has countless friends, colleagues, that are filled with memories and stories in which they laugh, and say “you know, we just had such a great time with Ray”

Preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Lila Ortiz, brothers Henry and Floyd Ortiz, and sister Bert Moreno. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Bernie, his son Pat Ortiz and wife Kady, sister Christine Lawson and husband Charles, sister Esther Thompson and husband Wayne, and six nephews.

A Civil Rights Award that proudly hangs in his home office reads, “For his honorable commitment to the creation and strengthening of Latino businesses. Your strength, courage, and dedication to upholding the integrity of Latino people are commendable. You stand with great leaders in the struggle against oppression.”