Teofilo "Tilo" Gutierrez Cortez, Sr., 72, passed away in Wasco, CA, in his home while his

wife and three children stood by his side after a 10-year battle with cancer.

Tilo was born October 21, 1951, to Salvador & Maria Cortez in Villahermosa, Tamaulipas,

Mexico and was 1 of 9 siblings. As proud migrant farmworkers, his family made their way to

Texas, then to California. He first laid eyes on his wife, Amalia, while living at the "Labor

Camp" in his teens. They were married for 53 years and went on to have three children and

six grandchildren.

In his early years, Tilo's work ethic earned him a permanent supervisor position with

Belridge Farms, which granted him the opportunity to plant his roots in Wasco. In the early

80's he moved his family to McAllen, Texas and became a successful farm labor contractor.

Homesick after three years, they sold everything, and the family returned to Wasco for

good. In the late 80's he started a cotton harvesting business which thrived with the local

cotton industry. He would later become an expert diesel mechanic for a local trucking

company until Cortez Trucking was born. When his cancer progressed and he was no

longer able to complete those grueling hours behind the wheel, he became a shuttle driver

for the Aviator Casino, because he still loved the road. Tilo spent every spare moment of

sunlight tending to the fruit trees in his garden with his dog Duke, where he found solace

until the very end. He is remembered for his incredible tolerance for spice, endearing

sarcasm, and mischievous smile.

He is survived by his wife, Amalia, their children, Tilo Cortez, Jr., his wife Jenny, and their

children, Daniel, Cassandra, and Kaitlyn; Angelica Cortez and her children, Juliana,

Gabriel, and Michael; and Christopher Cortez. He is also survived by his siblings,

Ermelinda, Pedro, San Juanita, and Margarita, an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins

and friends, as well as his loyal canine companion, Duke.