Calvin Lee Ortiz

Calvin Lee Ortiz, 53, of Huntsville, TX, entered into His Savior’s rest on November 10, 2024, after having suffered a massive stroke. Calvin was born in Pasadena, Texas on December 29, 1970, to Arnold D. and Maria R. Ortiz, the third child born to them, and the first born of twins. Due to his father’s career moves, Calvin attended five different school districts, graduating from Huntsville High School in 1989. He then enrolled at Sam Houston State University as a part time student while working full time in the food service industry so as to pay his way through college. Through Calvin's long hours and hard work, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in May of 1998. He was hired by the Huntsville Independent School District and started at Stewart Elementary in the Fall of 1998. Calvin was entirely dedicated to his new career, and especially to his students, calling it a “ministry of love.” His love for his students, his deep appreciation of his fellow teachers, and his outstanding work ethic, earned him several awards: • The Outstanding Teacher Award by the Huntsville Rotary Club in 2005 • The January Educator of the Month in 2012 • The Huntsville Independent School District’s Educator of the Year in 2015 • The Huntsville Item’s Educator of the Year in 2015 In the Fall of 2018 Calvin moved on to the Conroe Independent School District to teach Fourth Grade at Austin Elementary. Year after year, Calvin brought excellence to his classes, eventually being recognized by the State of Texas as a Master Reading Teacher. Calvin guided his students to new levels on the STAAR Academic Tests, earning him the love and respect of his students and their parents. Calvin was led in the “path of righteousness” [Ps. 23: 3] at the age of 8, when he was born again “to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...” [1 Peter 1: 3] while attending Candlelight Bible Church in Houston, Texas. As an adult in Huntsville, Calvin began attending Riverside Baptist Church. There, he taught Sunday School for elementary aged children. Calvin also went on several foreign mission trips, all while working full time and attending college part time. Subsequently, Calvin joined University Heights Baptist Church. His church membership was not limited to sitting in a pew; Calvin involved himself with various church ministries, and frequently provided financially for those in need, as he lived the life that marked his love for his Lord Jesus Christ. [John 8:42] Calvin is survived by his immediate family: his precious, beloved mother, Maria (Mia), his Father, Arnold, older brother Arnold Jr., twin brother Caleb, and his sister Cynthia Grace Bozelli, her husband Robert J., and Calvin’s beloved nephew, Joseph D. Calvin’s extended family includes his paternal uncle Jaime R., from Austin; the Ibarra cousins of San Antonio; and his beloved Banda cousins from Houston. We also want to acknowledge the families who loved Calvin, and were loved by Calvin, over the many decades: the Felan Family, the Jones family, the Little family, and the Sanderson family. A special note of gratitude to all the of administrators, teachers, retired teachers, adult students, and parents of students, who were an integral part of Calvin’s life. Thank you for visiting Calvin in his last days, even during a school day. We deeply miss Calvin, and we praise God for every year he was here with us. Because Calvin trusted in Him who said, “he who believes in me will live, even if he dies,” [John 11:25], Calvin will live again, and we will all be together with our Lord, in glory, never to be separated by death again. Amen. “…My heart can sing when I pause to remember, a heartache here is but a steppingstone, along a trail that’s winding always upwards, this troubled world is not my final home.” ~ from, “Until Then” by Stuart Hamblin. Burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville on Friday, November 22 at 1:00 p.m. for family and close friends. A Memorial Service will be held at the University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville on Saturday, November 23 at 10:00 am. All services under the direction of B.J. McMichael, UHBC Minister of Students and Outreach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Redeemer Christian School at the following link: https://redeemerchristianschool.org/donate/ Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com. Service will be available for livestreaming at the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a24118624137270 Livestreaming will begin approximately 10 minutes before service time.

Calvin Lee Ortiz

December 29, 1970 - November 10, 2024