Santos Ortega passed away of natural causes on Monday, June 26, 2017, at his home in Fountain Valley, Calif. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, at Heritage-Dilday Memorial Service in Huntington Beach, Calif. A graveside service will follow at noon at All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Long Beach, Calif. He was born Dec. 12, 1918, and was an only child. He grew up outside of Holbrook on his grandparents’ ranch during the Depression. He graduated from Holbrook High where he ran track (he did win one race when all the other athletes fell down). Santos moved to California in 1941 and married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Ruiz, in 1942. He worked at Convair Aircraft until he was drafted into the Army in 1943. After training, he shipped off to Liverpool, England, and completed 31 missions over Germany as a bombardier. When the war ended, he came home to his wife and new son Terry, born in his absence. His North American/Rockwell career began May 27, 1948. As a field technical representative, he traveled to Portugal, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama and Peru. During this time period, they were blessed with two daughters, Andrea, and then five years later, Catherine. Santos and Maxine moved to Downey, Calif., in 1950, where he planted his roots and continued to work at Rockwell International. He was a founding member of St. Raymond’s Catholic Church where he served as a lector. He completed a 40-year career after working on the Space Shuttle. Santos and Maxine were married for 61 years before her passing in 2003. Survivors include his children, Terry, Andrea and Catherine; his grandchildren, Deanna, Nissa, Jason, Aaron, Andrea and Jessica; and his great-grandchildren, Sydney, Kyley, Jacey, Eli, Addison, Titus, Kalea and Quinn. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the California Paralyzed Veterans Association given Santos’ years of service in the Army. Go online to https://www.razoo.com/story/California-Paralyzed-Veterans-Assn to make a donation. The mailing address is also noted within the link if you prefer that method of making a donation. Either way, please make a note that the donation is in memory of Santos Ortega. If you would like to learn more about the California Paralyzed Veterans Association, please visit their website at https://pvacaliforniachapter.org/.
