Jesse Michael Cortez

Jesse Michael Cortez, 64, of Topeka, Kansas passed away at the Colmery-O?Neil VA Hospital on September 25, 2012. Jesse was born in Topeka on October 15, 1947, to Jorge Puentez Cortez and Ramona Montez Munoz. He graduated from Topeka High, and entered the Marine Corps, serving from January of 1966 through October of 1968 in Vietnam. He attained the rank of Sergeant, and earned various decorations including National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Marine Unit Citation, Rifle Marksman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Purple Heart. He was employed by Hills Pet Nutrition for 22 years, retiring in 2002. For a number of years, he had a DJ business, "Booze Brothers", with his friend John Munoz. Jesse had many interests and hobbies which included playing and coaching baseball and tennis, photography, art, and playing music, especially guitar. Most of all, Jesse had a wonderful sense of humor and loved entertaining others and being surrounded by his friends and family. He was a member of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church Jesse married Rebecca Schroer on May 27, 1983 in Oklahoma, she survives. He is also survived by a son Jesse Cortez, Jr. of Lawrence, KS, daughter, Ramona Cortez-Pritchett (Donnie) of Huntington Beach, CA and their mother Anita Gonzales, a son, Eric G. Cortez and a daughter, Amy Watson (Derek) all of Topeka. Siblings include Gloria Cortez-Leonard (Donnie), Monica Kirby and Ricardo Cortez (Kim) also of Topeka. Five grandchildren, Kaleb Pritchett, Alyssa Pritchett, Marcos Cortez, Marcelino Cortez and Dorothy Watson as well as numerous nieces and nephews he adored also survive. He was preceded in death by a sister, Maria Cortez and a niece, Ashley Hawley. Jesse will lie in state after 4:00 p.m. Monday at MTCC where the family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 8:00 p.m. A Parish Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church where full military honors will follow. Interment will be at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home to help honor Jesse's wish to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Please send in care of the funeral home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, Ks 66603. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.