Ortis Alderman

Ortis Alderman was born on August 9, 1956 to the late Carroll Alderman and Elder Essie Lee Alderman. Ortis spent his childhood years with his family in Surrency, GA., where he attended elementary and middle school.
After moving to Wilmington, DE in 1967, Ortis continued his formal education through middle and high school. Ortis attended and graduated from both a general education and vocational high school. While attending PS DuPont High School he honed into his love of sports which his height gave him a great advantage to excel on the Basketball Court and the Track field. Ortis played on the Jr. Varsity and Varsity teams for PS DuPont High School earning him his letters and school Jacket. Ortis received countless awards, certificates and trophies throughout his high school career. While attending Delcastle Vocational High School, Ortis began his career development skills in the Culinary Arts field. He completed his Cooperative Educational training at Perkins Pancakes where he was one of the line cooks. The experience that Ortis gained at Perkins Pancakes, prepared him for his future career in the culinary field developing his skills and strong work ethic.
After graduation, Ortis was offered a position at the DuPont Experimental Station as a line cook, but was soon noticed by the one of the Chefs at the Hotel Dupont. He was noticed for his hard work and dedication. Ortis was offered a position at the Hotel DuPont, where he soon earned the position of "Chef" which he later was given the position of "Chef Supervisor." Ortis prided himself on being one of the top Chefs at the Hotel DuPont until he retired after 30 years of dedicated service. His love of cooking never faded even after he retired. Ortis would always prepare and deliver his gourmet dishes to his friends and family. Those that would catch him at home knew there would always be something delicious in the pot.
Some of Ortis' hobbies in addition cooking included spending time with family and friends, listening to old school music, staying in shape, and playing his computer games, especially the casino games. One cannot even get started on the old country western shows and movies. He would have an old western playing day and night as mere background noise. There was a moment in time when he was an avid cyclist...a street cyclist that is. Ortis would ride all over town on his 10speed tall and proud. You couldn't tell him he didn't have a luxury set of wheels. You would have thought he was an Olympic cyclist and perhaps he was in his own mind. At any given day you could catch him riding regardless of the weather with his boom box in tow.
Ortis was full of love and gave of himself selflessly. Ortis had a presence that always filled the room. His laughter was contagious and he'd attempt to tell his jokes, or would sing and dance- the same one -two step, which would always make any day a bit better. Ortis was all about his family, visiting often making sure everyone is "good." He will be deeply missed, and we will all miss hearing him say "Whoop there it is!"
Ortis affectionately known as "Jolley and Big Daddy" was proceeded in death by his father, Carroll Alderman and two of his brothers, Sylvester Wallace and Calvin Wallace. Ortis leaves to cherish his memories; mother Elder Essie Alderman; siblings, Carroll Alderman Jr.(Gloria), Christine Crosby, James Alderman(Sonya), Renee Alderman, Jessie Heller-Work, Carolyn Robinson, Loranda Heller, Lenorris Wallace, Virgil Wallace, and Lekesha Jones(cousin/sister). He also leaves to cherish his memories; children, Ortis N. Alderman, Othello Ames, Anita Wisher, Donte Collins, and Sierra Collins. Ortis was indeed a family man who also leaves a host of close nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss him immensely.