Colonel Force (Ret.)

Colonel Jesus Ortiz, M.D., U. S. Air Force (Ret.), was welcomed into the Lord's hands November 28th. A full bird Colonel in the United States Air Force, he maintained his strong patriotic presence throughout his military and retirement career. He was born in Havana, Cuba April 8, 1926. He grew up in a close knit family which transitioned to his military family while serving under Batista during Castro's overthrow. He also attended and graduated from medical school while in Havana, Cuba. He brought his young family to the United States in 1962 and practiced Psychiatry in Kansas for several years before making Savannah, GA his home. Known as a 'workhorse' throughout the local medical community, Dr. Ortiz had his own private practice where he also started volunteering his time and services to Bethesda Home for Boys and to St. Mary's orphanage. He was also instrumental in the start-up of Clark Pavilion. He later began working at Georgia Regional Hospital, from where he later retired. While working at Georgia Regional, Dr. Ortiz also worked for the Chatham County Jail as a physician for many years. Not ready to retire, he continued to work contract positions as locum tenens with various practices until he was 89 years old.



He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and a son, Alexander Ortiz.



He is survived by his ex-wife and his children, Jesus Jose Ortiz, Leonardo Ortiz (Amy), Eduardo Ortiz (Leslee), Elizabeth Ortiz-Hopkins, Marilyn McAllister, and many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.



The funeral service will be held at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in North Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, December 2, 2017.