Jose A. Cortes

Jose Angel Cortes died peacefully late Saturday afternoon, January 4, 2020 surrounded by his family at his Niceville, Florida home.  He was 69 years old. Jose was a twenty-four-year veteran of the United States Air Force, serving both domestically and internationally; with tours stationed in New York, Guam, Central Florida, Spain, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and North West Florida. His career saw him through the Cold War, First Persian Gulf War and military operations in the War on Drugs. Jose was not only a servant to his country but was servant to his God as a lifelong devout Catholic. His devotion to his faith and love of his God called him to service for many years as a religious education teacher, to participate in prison ministries, to become a member of the Knights of Columbus, and later in life as a Eucharistic minister.  Jose was also an avid reader of science fiction and military books, enjoyed playing chess, and loved most of all family gatherings where he could show off his Latin dance moves.

Born April 19, 1950, Jose was the son the late Bartolo Cortes and survived by Dominga Aponte Cortes in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Jose was twice married. First to Maria Cristina Sierra for 27 years who proceeded him in death in February of 2002. He then was married to Tania Melendez in 2009 until his passing. He is survived by his three children Erica, John and Michael Cortes, two stepsons Jose and Jonathan Clark and his nine grandchildren Rosalie, Lilianna, Jackson, Devon, Diego, Noah, Andrea, Gigi, and Julian. Jose also leaves behind one brother, three sisters, many loving family members and countless friends. Jose’s life was one of pious devotion, agape love, and compassionate living. His lasting legacy will be one of tremendous happiness, endless love and an enduring smile that touched all who bore witness to it.

There will be a time of Visitation held on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 5-7pm, (with Rosary at 6:30pm) at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home 2201 Partin Drive North Niceville, FL 32578. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00am on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd. Niceville, FL 32578. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery.

Following the Interment everyone is welcome to join us for a Celebration of Life for Jose Cortes at Holiday Inn Express & Suites 410 John Sims Parkway West Niceville, FL 32578, beginning at 12:30pm.

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