Raul’s Obituary Raúl Valdez Cortez December 13, 1926–February 9, 2019 Our beloved father passed away peacefully at home in Poway after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at age 92. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Candelaria León Cortez, and his ten children: Juan Manuel, Ramón, Marianela, Lupita, and children from his first marriage: Carlos, Raúl Alberto, Jaime Alonso, Flor, Marco, and Jazmín, 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Our father was born in Mexicali on December 13, 1926, just before the Great Depression, and was the oldest of eight siblings.
The son of Eloisa y Ramón Cortez Cuen. From a very early age, they inculcated a strong work ethic, the responsibility of being the eldest and a role model to his younger siblings. He completed his elementary education in Mexicali, and from a young age, was very entrepreneurial, always reful obtaining what he needed, and also doing whatever was necessary to support his family – including working in the restaurants that our grandparent’s owned.
During high school, he attended the recently inaugurated Instituto Técnico Industrial (Poli) in Tijuana where he graduated with a degree in Vocational Engineering and Physical-Mathematical Sciences. He was always a dedicated student, some would say a perfectionist in every aspect of his life. He also learned technical drawing and became a good boxer – so much so, that he competed in and won the bantamweight Golden Gloves Tournament in Mexicali – and was given the nickname “Baby Carter” (after President Carter).
Upon graduating, he was part of the first generation class and founding alumni of the Poli. A short time later, our father becomes a topographer with the Secretary of Communications and Public Affairs, and was assigned to assist with the construction of the Mexicali-Tijuana highway – specifically the part of the highway that is named La Rumurosa – where he ended up holding the title of Superintendent of Earthworks. With this position, he leaves an indelible mark in the history of the northern Mexican state of Baja California.
In Mexicali in the late 1940s, he marries and forms the Cortez Bustamante family. In 1951, the family moves to Tijuana, and shortly thereafter, he immigrates to this country in search of better work. Our father had a variety of jobs in order to support his family and crossed the border daily to San Diego.
He worked primarily at San Diego Standard Iron Works and part-time at Woolworths as a baker – all before formally initiating his career as a civil engineer. Between his work and rest, he also shared his love of basketball, billiards and, of course, boxing with his family. In 1954, he is called to do military service, and is assigned to the US Army Corps of Engineers with the Battalion Essayons (meaning Let Us Try) who are tasked to assist with the reconstruction of South Korea.
In order to make extra money, he became a barber and charged his fellow soldiers less than the army barber. He ends his military career in 1956 and received a military medal. At the beginning of the 1960s, our father interviewed at the San Diego County Water Works Department sharing his technical drawings during the interview.
Destiny influences a family separation. However, he continues with his university studies and obtains his Civil Engineering degree. He then creates a new home in Tijuana and forms the Cortez León family, and migrates with his wife and children to Poway on April 1, 1977.
Our family lives an immigrant life in the US like many immigrant families managing challenges with a new language, customs, and culture. During these years, he worked very hard to take care of his home. Among his hobbies were painting, hunting, and watching professional boxing.
He was always very inquisitive and truly enjoyed having deep and philosophical conversations. Often, he preferred the company of hardworking people, with a humble background, and strong principles. During his travels to Mexicali, he enjoyed visiting the family ranch called Polvora.
He enjoyed the tradition of Christmas with all its formality and details including his favorite turkey stuffing, See’s Candies, and, of course, presents for everyone. His interest in learning led him to study artistic painting and sculpture in an adult school located at Balboa Park. Due to his love of art and paintings, he meets and establishes a friendship with the painter Chet Berg, who introduces him and teaches him pictorial art.
From that era, our father recreates two portraits of “The Three Musicians” from Pablo Picasso, one residing with each family. He served as a professional civil engineer for 45 years – always adhering to the strict norms, ethics and responsibilities of that profession. The change of residence and immigration status did not alter his feelings of pride and deep respect for his native country.
At the same time, he was respectful and proud of this country – the United States of America – that received him with open arms. Our father leaves a valuable legacy of high morals and principles, ethics and responsibility. Those that he practiced throughout his life.
His children and descendants have inherited many of these traits and strengths that are of great value as we continue through our journey. May he rest in peace. A visitation will be held Tuesday, February 26 at Poway-Bernardo Mortuary from 4–7 p.m. with rosary at 5:00 PM, vigil service to follow at 6:30 pm at Poway-Bernardo Mortuary.
His funeral mass will be held Wednesday, February 27 at 10 a.m. at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Poway, and he will be interred at the Miramar National Cemetery with honors in San Diego. Donations in Raúl’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at www. alzfdn.org.
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