Jose Mendez Ortega of Hondo, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 24, 2007, at the age of 69. He was born in D'Hanis, Texas, March 19, 1937, the son of Felix & Maria del Refugia (Mendez) Ortega. He was a road construction heavy equipment operator. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ramona Muniz; infant sister Martha Ortega and a infant brother Felix, Ortega, Jr. Jose is survived by his wife Guadalupe (Ramirez) Ortega; son, Jose Enrique Ortega and wife Gloria of Hondo; daughter, Elida Diane Ortega of Austin; son, Daniel Gilbert Ortega and wife Christine of Hondo; daughter, Margarita Elizabeth Ortega of Austin; 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; brothers, Alfonso Ortega and wife Dolores of Ohio, twins: Miguel and Filbeto Ortega both of San Antonio, Reynaldo Ortega of San Antonio; sisters, Raquel Reyes of Payette, Idaho, Elisea Rivera of San Antonio, Eva Contreras of North Dakota, Teresa Carrales of Freer; brother-in-law, Edward Muniz of Hondo. The Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the St. Joh the Evangelist Catholic Church on Friday January 26, with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Mass, celebrated by Rev. Jeff Pehl, will be Saturday, January 27, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The pallbearers were Estefan Ortega, Nicholas Ortega, Marus Gallardo, Erik Gallardo, Tobee Ortega, Joseph Ortega. Burial will follow at the San Francisco Cemetery, D'Hanis Texas.