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Zeke Cortez was born in Antonito, Conejos County, Colorado April 30, 1921. At sometime in his childhood his mother, Sofia Garcia Cortez moved with her three sons (Ezekiel, Hernon, and Hubert) to Santa Fe, New Mexico. She placed them into the Santa Fe School system. As a teenager Zeke worked as a stock boy at the neighborhood grocery store after school and weekends. He attended college at New Mexico State University until the World War II began. He joined the U.S. Navy, as a commissioned Ensign and completed his college at some point while serving out country. He received a Phd and graduated with honors from George Washington University. Zeke met Frances Salas during this period and married and had three children: Luis Rene Cortez , Maria Carla Cortez, and Carmel Sofia Cortez. He further served in the Korean War and made a career of the U.S. Navy. During his career he had a variety of assignments one of which was Naval Advisor to the President. He also was Commander of a Mine Sweeping Division in the Pacific, Executive Officer aboard ship during the Viet Nam War and Commanding Officer of the U.S. Naval Reserve Station at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Zeke retired from the U. S. Navy as a Commander. He moved to Tijeras Canyon, New Mexico and ultimately to Belen, New Mexico where he resided for over 15 years. He suffered a serious stroke. He made a remarkable recovery through physical rehabilitation and could drive, walk and speak with some difficulty. While residing in Belen, he met Nadine Fraser Linkous and was married on December 14, 1995. Zeke and Nadine moved to Albuquerque in March 1997 and purchased a home on San Pedro S.E. Subsequently, Zeke became very ill and required 24 hour nursing. He was cared for by the staff at Princeton Place and his wife Nadine was actively involved in his care for a period of nine years. Zeke Cortez died on 10 August 2009, in Albuquerque, and is survived by his wife Nadine Cortez, his daughters Maria Carla Tam, and Carmel Robinson, his grandchildren, Gabriel, Luisa and Bridgette Tam and three great grandchildren. Services will be held at eleven a.m. on Thursday, August 13 at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Friends may visit on Wednesday, August 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at French Lomas location. Please visit the online guestbook for Zeke at RememberTheirStory.com French 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
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