Joseph Manuel "Joe" Ortiz

Rose,

Joe stayed at our house (Eagle Pass, Texas) during the World Series. He always mentioned you and also how much he loved you, every day!!! So sad to hear about your loss. Please stay strong and God Bless!!

Dear Rose and Family, We are so very sorry for your loss of Joe. We are keeping you and your family in our prayers. Sending you Love and Hugs. God Bless you and Keep you in HIs Arms. Love, Dennis and Joanne Seibel

Sorry to hear this. I knew Joe when I worked for Geweke RV 1992 to 2005. Thoughts and Prayers are with you.

We were shocked to hear of your tragic loss. All our prayers to you Rose and the kids. You all have such fond family memories to hold onto. Hopefully these will provide some comfort. You are in our thoughts.

I met Joe and his family while watching his daughter play for Fresno State, Tonight I look down the third base line and expected to see Joe sitting on the tractor, I found out to late to attend his services and I am sorry about that, his passion and his smile will be missed but as you read here he affected so many lives as I am sure he will in heaven , RIP Joe , and prayers out to his wonderful family whom I enjoy every softball game . Love And Prayers Kim, Michele

Many fond memories of softball, coach Joe while watching our grand daughter Chloe play for him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Your all are in our thoughts and prayers. Joe was a great guy who was passionately in love with his family. Everyone could see that and feel it!! He will be so very missed but not forgotten.
John & Aleisa

Rose, my heart goes out to you and your family. May your wonderful memories comfort you in the coming days. Joe was a very special man with a great smile. May God bless you and keep you strong.

Our thought and prayers go out to the Ortiz family. We know that this a difficult time but we hope you find comfort in knowing that Joe touched so many lives and will always be remembered as a wonderful father and coach.

Richard Quesada and Family

Joey. My cousin. This is just unreal. Our family sends our love and prayers to your family Joey. Be strong everyone. Keep. Your faith

Rose, I am praying for you and your family to get through this sorrowful time. God bless you all.

Rose, I am so sorry for your loss. My family and I send our condolences and prayers to you, your children, and both families.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May God bless and give you strength.
Pete & Sue Pickering

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time.

Thank you Joe for giving so much to my boys in the years you coached them. They learned to compete with a passion in whatever the sport or event they were involved in. Your lessons will shine through many lives for years to come.. Thanks also to Rose & kids for sharing your dad/husband with all the kids in this community.

Prayers today for Joey's family. My heart is heavy for them. All the memories of growing up with him and his positive attitude and love for sports. God Bless.
Chip & Mari Herman(Weisz)

Prayers to Rose and kids.....Joe was a great coach to my kids and we all just loved his personality! He will be missed!!
Becky Mennig, Joshua & Susan McAfee

Rose,

Barbara and I send our prayers to the entire family. Joe was one of the "Flame" family members and a truly loyal one at that. I loved my days with him when he was a student and I was the AD. Our talks were great. Later he became a great neighbor of ours as well. He was a great father, a great husband, and an even better human being. Our prayers are with the entire family. Pete and Barbara

"Joe, you and Rose have been our (Shawn, Jeff, Kelsey and I) second family for the last 20 years. During softball season and vacation we lived in your home and were always welcome. I'm sure sometimes acted as if we owned the place. As time goes by and all the kids are now adults everything that you taught us about being a father, a couch, a friend and your love for baseball will be past down to the next generation not only through your kids but all of ours as well. You will be missed. Rest in peace Joe."

The Whitted family sends their deepest condolences to Rose and the rest of the Ortiz Family. A great lose for our class of 83 family. He will missed.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Ortiz Famiily. May you find some comfort, that Joey left an impression with so many people.

The best coach I ever had the pleasure of coaching with. The kids absolutely loved you! We will all miss your spirit and fire. I know there is a line in Heaven as far as the eye can see thanking you for touching their lives. We'll all look after Rose and the kids until we see you again my friend.

Joe, you affected so many lives of youth in this area for the positive, you will be missed! God bless you and your family!

Rose are hearts are heavy with yours, you are in our prayers!

From wiffleball games in my driveway as a freshmen with Joey and my brother, to softball games as young adults and recent fellow coaches at Liberty Ranch HS..Great memories from a great man and friend. RIP.

our prayers are with your family. From the Michael Hayes Family

A fierce competitor on the field and an equally enjoyable person with a great attitude off the field. Very rarely did rivals on the field enjoy time together off the field. It was because of people like Joe that created lasting memories for the St. Mary's - Lodi rivalry. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family .

We are so sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences go out to the Ortiz family. Rest in peace Joe.

Very sad and always to young. Sorry for your loss!

We were rivals through High School, teammates afterwards. You played the game the way it was meant to be played. Your smile was comforting when I was able to umpire your children's games. Gone too soon, but your infectious smile, your children and baseball will always keep you in my heart. My heart goes out to Rose and your children. RIP

We are away on vacation and was shocked when my Mom told me of Joey's passing. I had the pleasure of coaching Joey in Varsity Baseball at Lodi High. He was one of the best athletes I ever coached, but what I remember most was that big smile, positive attitude, and 100% effort. Our prayers to Rose, Brooke, Halle, and TJ. Keep those great memories close.

May God bless the Ortiz family during this very sad time.
I knew the Ortiz family growing up in Clements and send my prayers to all of them and Rose and their children.

You were a great coach and friend, and an awesome husband and father. You will truly be missed and never forgotten.

We are so sorry to hear of this great loss! We have only known Joe a few years, but we have loved getting to know him & Rose at the Fresno State softball games. He was one of the first people my sister, Trista, would look for when we arrived at the diamond. We both loved hearing his cheering & watching his enthusiasm at the games. He was such a generous person; always willing to share his delicious food at his softball tailgate parties. Our deepest sympathies go to Rose & the kids during this difficult time. You all have been in our prayers since we heard & will continue to be. We love u all!

Joe always had time to talk to you. I remember my Freshman year during the start of baseball season he came up to me (a skinny Freshman kid without a clue) and had a talk with me. Till this day I have never forgotten what he said to me. He had a way with kids for sure, even way back then. We lost a good one but I know Joey is going to do work upstairs just like he has always done! Wishing the Ortiz family the best through these tragic times.RIP Joey

We go way back, playing ball together as kids, the good ol days!!! Sending prayers to your family. May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of your times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Love, Dennis & Lisa Silva

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
You will always be remember as a great friend .

We are so sad for your loss. Blessings and love to all of you..
Lisa, Kirk, Jarrett, and Lauren Robinson

He was a great person rose we were shocked to see this in the paper. We are thinking of you Steve and Anne Cox

Our thoughts and prayers to Rose, TJ and the girls. We are so saddened by the loss. His animated personality and humor will be missed.

Thinking of all of you at this difficult time. Haven't run into you much since we all left "the old neighborhood" but please know our thoughts and love are with each of you at this difficult time.
Sharon and Steve Graffigna (Mike and Giancarlo, as well)

We met Joe when he and my husband Damon coached football together for the Bobcats. We became good friends and spent many of our nights and weekends playing poker. Anyone that played with Joe knew how frustrating it was to play with him. He always knew what cards were in your hands so bluffing was not an option. Joe had an infectious personality and will be missed by all that knew him. I used to sing the National Anthem at football games and from then on Joe gave me a nickname of "Hummingbird". I will always carry that with me. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family.

Prays to the Ortiz and Van Steyn families...sorry for your loss...you will meet again!

Joe was a very caring man to his family, friends, and all the girls he coached. I will never forget the day after practice my daughter, Hannah, was having problems with her softball glove. He noticed and reached into his truck and tossed a glove of his own to her and told her to use this one. She was totally excited about it. we still have it at home. Joe was a coach who knew how to be tough and also have the girls enjoy playing the game. Many of the girls he coached went off to college, including his own, and excelled in various sports due to his continual encouragement. Joe, you will be deeply missed by all who knew you but all the memories will still shine brightly.

I was so sorry to hear the news of cousin Joey. Years go by and before you know we are all grown up and living our own lives. By reading everybody's entries Joe touched so many lives and that is something for Joe's family to be proud of.

Rest in Peace cousin

Joe , you will always be missed! You have touched a lot of young peoples lives . Whom will carry on the love of the game . You have been a great friend . Until we meet again some sunny day on the diamond in the sky . PLAY BALL JOE. Love Aaron greenmyer

Joey was an incredible man who had the ability to make everybody around him smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rose and the kids.
PLAY BALL Joey!

Very sorry to hear about your loss, God Bless you all.

Oh so saddened by this news. Heartfelt sorrow for the entire family!

I love you Coach. You will be heavily missed by all of those who's lives you touched. Mrs. Ortiz, Brooke, Halle, and TJ, I love you all.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Rosa and family.
R I P. From Jose Villanueva and Family.

Sorry for your loss, you are all in our prayers.

You left us way too early. I have so many great memories of you on and off the baseball field as we were growing up. My heart goes out to Rose and the family. Rip my friend.

My thoughts and prayers to Rose and the kids. Joey was a great man...so full of life, with an amazing passion to instill his values of hard work and dedication to so many youth in our area. May God wrap his arms around you all and bring you peace during this time.

Our love and prayers for your sudden loss. Joe was always smiling and so optimistic. I know it was because he was so proud and loved his family. God bless you Rose, Brooke, Halle and TJ. Never forgotten.

Prayers for your family

I developed a friendly adversarial friendship with him in sports while in high school, and remained friends into adulthood. Our families did a lot of things together, especially when our kids were young, and those memories will be cherished forever. Always the life of any party, my friend Joe will be sadly missed. Rose, Brooke, Halle and TJ, we love you like family, as we did Joe.
Brad Kelley and family

My sincere condolences to the Ortiz family. Joey was a true friend from elementary school and Lodi High School Class of 83. His smile always melted my heart. May God bless you Rose and your entire family~

On behalf of me,Ruben Gonzales,my wife Elvia,my son Joshua...just want to say i'am so sorry for your loss of Joey,i met Joey in elementary school,he was a good friend of mine,he had a huge heart,and a great personality,and one hell of an athlete,i can't believe he's gone,i would see him maybe two or three times through the years at football games or just around town,or when ever i'd run into an old school friend i would always ask 'HAVE YOU HEARD OR KEPT IN TOUCH WITH JOEY......again i'am so sorry for your loss....god bless you and your family,an amazing man!!!

Rose, Brooke, Halle, TJ and Ortiz family,
Please know you are in our hearts and prayers during this time. May you find comfort in your memories together. God bless.

Like many on here, my memories of joey go back to childhood. Although I have not seen him in a long time I can vividly picture him on the playground and baseball field. Joey was a great guy and nice to all, weather you were popular or not. Rest in peace my friend, your life may have been short, but you definitely knocked it out of the park. My condolences to Joey's family

With A heavy Heart My Family and I will be praying for Joey, Rose and the Kid's Brooke, Hallie and T.J. I was at the Donner Summit when I heard the news and know that life in Lodi Has been changed for ever with this great lose. We offen tryed to go camping with him but somehow always came up with with an excuse not to go and it was always something with the kids last minute and we knew he wasnt going. The guys laugh about it every year. We will miss his Cat that ate the canary look at the poker games.
We love you Joe and will miss you.
Rusty Smith

Rose & Family,
Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Shelbi,Cassidee,Carlee&Cade Brusa

God bless you

I had the opportunity to plat baseball with Joe in college and our friendship went beyond that time. Joe was always someone you wanted to be around because he made everyone around him feel better about themselves. He made his teammates confident. Rose, my prayers are with you and your family. Much love.

Have known Joey for many years & loved him. He always made me laugh & enjoyed the time we spent together.

Jan Dobler

My sincerest condolences to Rose and the children. How sad I was to hear of this. Then I started thinking about all the years of baseball practices, games, and road trips we took as kids. His talent was unquestionable, his hustle unmatched, and his friendship unbreakable. If only every little league team could have a player like Jo-Jo.

We will always remember the positive influence he had with our daughter in softball, and with our sons in football. Our prayers go out to Rose and his children. May they find comfort in their memories of Joe. We, along with the community, will miss him.

So very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

I only knew Joe for a short time, but knew in that short time he had a heart of gold. Our hearts are heavy and we wish Rose and the kids all the best at this difficult time. From past experience lean on your friends and family they will be your support post.

We grew up together, went to school, together, we were friends. Warm hearted, big hearted, one of the best hearted. As my words fail to do justice to my friends loss and the impact he has had on so many. I pray in the Lords name for safe passage on this journey for him. For comfort and peace for his beautiful family which I know God will bring and be holding them in his embrace. We love you Joey. See you soon old friend.

My thoughts and prayers for Rose and the kids. I am stunned to hear this news. Never saw anyone with such dedication for coaching kids. We need more with that kind of dedication. Rest in peace Joe.

Rose. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm praying for you and the kids and send love to you all. God bless you.

"Everyone knows Joe" and "everyone knows he had a heart of GOLD" He was a true HERO and EVERYONES friend...

My heart goes out to Joey's family. I am Julie Edsell's mother. I used to haul the kids to the show when they were in the 7th and 8th grades. I always had my staion wagon full and Joey was one of my favorites. I was so proud when he played pro-baseball. i had a lot of fun with him and he will truly be missed by many. My heart is heavy over your loss.
I send my heartfelt sympathy to the whole family. God Bless you,
Shirley Culbertson

Rest in Peace Cuzin

I've known Joey forever it seems, he always had a larger than life personality. Always the athlete and then passing on his sporting knowledge on to many youth. He will be missed by many. Best wishes to Rose, Brooke, Halle and TJ

I'll always remember Joey and his smile and kind heart. Someone you were proud to call friend. God bless the Ortiz family and Joey may you rest in peace my friend...

Just a quick note to express our support, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Too early...my condolences to your family. My favorite Joey memory. After being a teammate for so many years, we were opponents in a college baseball game. I came to the plate in the last inning with his team comfortably ahead. Joey proceeded to tell me exactly what pitch was coming. Of course, I didn't believe him and watched all three pitches come right down the middle of the plate. I could hear Joey laughing all the way to the dugout. RIP,Joey.

One of the only coaches that built confidence in the young people. Good person big heart! One of the best softball coaches that Krista ever had! So sorry Rose! So sad!! Prayers

So sorry to hear about this. Joey was a great childhood friend. We did not stay in touch much after eighth grade. Even as a kid, Joey's great athleticism and personal integrity was apparent. My condolences to his family.

I can only tell you that I am very sad to lose one of my true best friends in life. As friends get older their lives take different paths and new families are grown. Joe and Rose always put their selves out there to help someone else who needed it. Rose, I hope you and your family can get through this rough time. Taken to soon, I will miss my FRIEND FOREEVER !!!! Randy Vollbrecht

RIP Joey....Our thoughts and prayers to your family!