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Joe Cortese, 88, a long-time Fort Sumner businessman, died Friday, May 8, 1998 in Clovis, NM. Joe was born March 14, 1910 in Primero, Colorado to the home of Nick and Mary Muto Cortese. He was raised and attended school in Morley, Colorado. In 1923 he moved with his family to Fort Sumner where he attended school and made his home. Joe married Edith Florence McFadden in 1934 at Fort Sumner. She preceded him in death in 1974. He was employed as a youngster in the feed business for Mr. Fuller. He later bought the business and began Valley Feed and Grain, he later took his two brothers, Ralph and Mike in as partners. His son, Gerald Don later became affiliated with the business and joined the partnership. The business was sold in 1973. Joe also ranched and was very active in community and state affairs. He was a charter member and served as president of the New Mexico Feed Dealers Association during the time he owned Valley Feed and Grain; was Chairman of the De Baca County Soil & Water Conservation for many years and was appointed by the Governor to the New Mexico Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Joe was a booster of Fort Sumner and worked faithfully to promote any worthwhile organization. He was a 50 year charter member of the Fort Sumner Rotary Club; past Chairman of the De Baca County Chamber of Commerce who honored him as Citizen of the Year in 1973. Joe was a mason and member of Eastern Star. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner since 1949, where he served as Sunday School Director for 17 years, he also served as a board member of the Baptist Children's Home at Portales, NM and the Baptist Convention of New Mexico. Joe married Zela Glisson Milson in 1975 at Fort Sumner. Joe and Zela both served on the Advisory Council of New Mexico Boy's Ranch. Joe also served on the Fort Sumner Citizen's Board for many years. He always kept busy but never too busy for his friends and family whom he loved dearly. For the past five years Joe has been a resident of the Retirement Ranch in Clovis where he was cared for by a loving and compassionate staff. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Edith McFadden Cortese in 1974; a daughter and son-in-law, Betty Jo and Louie Caffo and their three sons who died in an auto accident in 1960; a brother, Ralph Cortese; and two sisters, Madeline Leonard and Rose Tally; an uncle,"Pokey" Cortese; and a step-grandson, Buddy Milson. Survivors include his wife, Zela Cortese of the home in Fort Sumner; two sons and daughters-in-law, Gerald Don and Lou Ann Cortese of Fort Sumner and Joseph Keith and Goldie Cortese of San Juan Capistrano, CA; his grandchildren, Joe Don Cortese, Edi Smith, Knox Cortese, Jeff Cortese, Kristy Cortese, Deborah Weaver; a step-granddaughter, Tammy Milson Chamberlin. Also surviving are 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; along with a brother, Mike Cortese and his wife, Dorothy of Albuquerque; a sister, Delia Waller of Bakersfield, CA; and a sister-in-law, Lib Cortese of Fort Sumner; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 11, 1998 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, Rev. Bob Brittain and Rev. Jim Peabody will officiate. Burial will follow in the Cortese family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Don Cortese, Jeff Cortese, Mikey Cortese, Buddy Cortese, and Nick Cortese. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Cortese, Arron Cortese, Casey Cortese, James Weaver, Jon Cortese, Zack Smith, Samuel Weaver, Benjamin Weaver, Luke Cortese, Jesse Cortese, Joseph Weaver, Caleb Weaver, Tristin Knox Cortese, and the Men's Sunday School Class. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Baptist Children's Home in Portales, NM or the Building Fund of First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner. All arrangements entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
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