Mario Cortez

Mario Cortez, 84, of Deer Park, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on May 30, 1941, in Kingsville, Texas. Mario lived a life devoted to Faith, Family, and Service to his Church and his community. A proud Navy veteran, Mario served his country for six years. He served on the USS Casa Grande and was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. After his military service, he worked for over three decades at the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier in Kingsville and Deer Park, Texas. Throughout his life, he was known for his kindness, laughter, tireless work ethic and unwavering generosity toward everyone around him.
Mario married the love of his life, Nora, and together they shared 59 beautiful years together. However, their love began many years before that, having met as teenagers, they shared a long love affair of almost 70 years. Their marriage was filled with laughter, music, family gatherings and devotion to family and to his Church and Jesus Christ. A loving husband, father, grandfather, Uncle, and best friend, Mario's sincerity and kind heart was the foundation of his life and to anyone that he came in contact with during his life.
Mario was a Grand Knight and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church. He also served, along with his wife, as a director of the altar boys society and Boy Scouts leaders. Mario cooked many fish fries, enjoyed barbecuing and serving his community and Church at every opportunity.
Mario was a talented musician, playing the saxophone (among other instruments) in a band (or "orchestra" as it was called in those days) at many local events in Kingsville and the surrounding South Texas area. After returning from the Navy, Mario went onto barber school. He enjoyed cutting hair for his sons, grandchildren, and any family or friend who needed it at his home. As a sports enthusiast, Mario coached his son's baseball teams. He loved watching any sport, but especially his Houston Astros at every chance. Mario never missed a sporting or school event for his sons, or any of his grandchildren - even when in separate cities or states, he streamed every volleyball, lacrosse, baseball or soccer game.
Mario's spirit of kindness, generosity and love will live on with all those that loved him. He will be missed beyond words and remembered by all that knew him. Mario leaves behind a loving wife, Nora, sons, Michael, Matthew and Marvin, and daughters in-law, Jodi, Laura Sawaya, and Laura Veale; his grandchildren, Alexander Mitchell, John Peter, Maya Isabelle, Joseph Matthew, Mary Elizabeth, and Paul Sawaya; as well as his niece and her husband, Denise and Derek Moody, grand-niece and her husband, Katelyn and Gabe Benavides; brother and sister-in-law, Norma and Israel Martinez, II and his nephews, Robert Lee, Israel (III)(Mac), and David and their families; his niece, Judy Mae DeLa Garza; and many other family members in and around South Texas. He was preceded in death by his beloved angel, his son, Mitchell, his parents, Antonio and Maria Cortez, brother Homer, and sister Alma.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.
A visitation at 5 pm and rosary at 6 pm will be held on Monday, November 17 at Deer Park Funeral Directors. A funeral service at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park, Texas at 1 pm on Tuesday, November 18. A graveside service at Chamberlain Cemetery at Noon in Kingsville, Texas on Wednesday, November 19.
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