Joseph F. Cortez

San Antonio basketball legend "Papa" Joe Cortez died on October 8, 2025 at the age of 94.
He was born in San Antonio on September 24, 1931 to Jose M. Cortez and Eva Fernandez Cortez. His father died when Joe was only three years old, and his mother later married John Patiño. Johnny played a major role in Joe's upbringing, as did his Cortez uncles and his grandmother Monica Fernandez, who Joe credited with giving him his strong foundation in faith.
A major turning point in his life was when a school friend, Allen "Buddy" Schultze, convinced him to register at Central Catholic for seventh grade. While at Central, he played on teams that won two TCIL State basketball titles, and was an all-city and all-state honoree. He graduated from Central in 1950, and credits the school and the Marianists for shaping who he would become and setting him on his life's path.
Joe said that one of the things he was most proud of was never having missed a day of school or morning mass and Communion during his six years at Central.
He attended the University of Texas on a four-year basketball scholarship, and was the first Hispanic player on the UT basketball team. He finished his B.A. at St. Mary's University.
"Central Catholic High School taught me who I was. The University of Texas taught me what I could be. St. Mary's University taught me what I should be a man of God."
In 1956 he married the love of his life, Maria Teresa Flores. Joe and Terry built a beautiful life and raised four children together. Joe often reflected that his was a life of miracles, the greatest of which was being married to Terry.
In the early years of their marriage, he began teaching and coaching at Peacock Military Academy while commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, then Captain, in the Army Reserves.
In 1959, he received a call from Brother Andrew Cremer offering him a position at Central Catholic, where he became one of the school's first lay teachers, and embarked on what would become the most fulfilling years of his career.
A statement released by Central reads: "He didn't just coach basketball– he coached life. Coach Cortez's legacy extends far beyond his 36 years on the basketball court at Central Catholic. A teacher, mentor, and father figure to countless young men, he embodied what it means to be a Brother of Central Catholic."
While at Central, he became the winningest basketball coach in San Antonio history, leading the Buttons to 10 TCIL Championships. He also coached championship winning football and baseball teams and was a beloved history teacher.
Having summers off during the academic years allowed Joe to take his passion for basketball in new and exciting directions. A chance encounter led to one last run as a player, when he toured with the Harlem Globetrotters as a member of their opposition team during the 1965 European and Middle Eastern tour. In 1974, he helped develop the Spurs Basketball youth camps, and continued to run the program for several summers.
After retirement from Central, he coached at Trinity University and in the Mexico Professional League.
He was inducted into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame and the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame.
Joe was passionate about his work with the Hispanic Sports Foundation for Education, which he was instrumental in founding. HSFE provides mentorship and scholarships to first-generation college-bound students from the San Antonio area.
The greatest source of pride in Joe's life was his family. He was happiest when he and Terry hosted the whole family during holidays and other celebrations, leading everyone in prayer and imparting wisdom, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice and community. His family will always remember him for his bear hugs, infectious laugh, and relentless optimism.
He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 68 years, Terry, and his eldest son, Charles Joseph. He is survived by his daughter, Laura Mendez and son-in-law Joe, his sons John Daniel Cortez and Andrew Cortez, eleven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
A Rosary will be held on October 30 at 6:00 P.M. at the Coach Joe Cortez '50 Court in the Kahlig Cowie Convocation Center at Central Catholic High School. The funeral Mass will be held on October 31 at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Central Catholic High School for the Coach Joe Cortez '50 Scholarship or to the Hispanic Sports Foundation for Education.