Inocencio Ortiz Jr.

April 19, 1928 – September 17, 2018

On Sept. 17, 2018 Inocencio Ortiz Jr., 90, went into the loving arms of the Lord surrounded by his wife, his seven children and 12 of his grandchildren. Chencho, as he was called, was born on April 19, 1928 to Inocencio Ortiz Sr. and Rafaela Solis in La Grulla, Texas. He was the only son of seven children.

He married Idolina Cristela Duarte on Jan. 2, 1955 in La Joya, Texas. They moved to Warden, Wash. in 1963 where they raised their seven children Rafaela Ortiz (Doug Mac Donald), Ino (Joetta), Joel (Glenda), Irasema Elizalde (Joe), Jorge Luis (Debbie), Eliseo (Joylynn) and Graciela Melby (Doug).

A farmer all his life, he first farmed in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas before moving to Warden where he farmed for Harry Yamamoto and Columbia Producers. Chencho loved to work the dirt and grow amazing crops for his bosses and huge vegetable gardens for his family. He had a strong work ethic that was equaled only by his commitment to his family and his love for education. He insisted his children get an education and was never prouder than when he was attending a graduation for one of his kids or grandkids.

Chencho also loved parties, especially when all his children and grandkids were present. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and joke. His favorite activities were working the fields, fishing, reading, tending to the farm animals, visiting with his buddies at the café and tinkering with his tools. He remained a fun-loving extrovert throughout his life until Alzheimer’s took away his memories and his voice.

Surviving him are his wife and children and his grandchildren Stephen (Jackie) and Sarah Mac Donald Monica Isensee (Vince), Heather Klitzke (Robert), Jennifer Ortiz, Joseph (Brandy), Amanda, and Zachary Elizalde, Nathaniel, Jared, and Benjamin Ortiz and Margarita, Jessica, Luis, Esteban, Carlos and Josline Dominguez, and Jaidyn and Dylan Melby. Great-grandchildren include Lucas Mac Donald, Cody Isensee, McKenna Klitzke, Ava Jo and Nash Elizalde and Derek Martinez. Chencho is also survived by his sister Maria Rosa Garcia, sisters-in-law Janie Dicken (Steve), Maria Luisa Perales (Victor) and Luisa Duarte, brother-in-law Henry Duarte (Rose), and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, daughter Graciela Ortiz, sisters Juanita Flores, Hortencia Rodriguez, Felipa Garza, Eva Garza and Anita Cantu, and brothers-in-law John Duarte and Demetrio Duarte.

Visitation will be held at Kayser’s Chapel in Moses Lake from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. Services will be at Queen of All Saints in Warden on Monday, Sept. 24 with viewing at 9 a.m., Rosary at 10 a.m. and Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory.