Pablo A. Cortez

Pablo A. "Paul" Cortez, 82, of Topeka, formerly of Tecumseh, died August 28, 2015 at St. Francis Hospital. He was born in Redwood City, California on June 29, 1933, the son of Marcelino and Maria (de Santiago) Cortez. Pablo attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California. He achieved his GED in 1985. He served in the United States Air Force for four years. Pablo retired from the Santa Fe Railroad after 31 years of service. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas Jayhawks. Pablo was married to Margaret Z. Serrano on June 2, 1956 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. She survives. Other survivors include his children: Maria P. Christmore (Dave) of Lenexa, Teresa R. Wetzel (David) of Lewis, Kansas, Ann B. Bartlow (Brad) of Topeka, Pablo A. Cortez II (Sandy) of Whitman, Massachusetts, Carlos A. Cortez, Louis A. Cortez (Francie), Philip M. Cortez , Vincent E. Cortez, Peter A. Cortez (Penny) and Rita L. Gish (Mike) all of Topeka, Raquel A. Deets (Greg) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Raoul A. Cortez (Pam) of Wichita, Kansas, and Regina A. Cortez of Topeka. He is also survived by a brother, Richard Cortez of California, 19 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, and three brothers. Pablo will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 421. Memorial contributions may be made in Pablo's memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66603.