Fidel Ortiz, 96, peacefully passed away in his sleep at Eagle Estates Assisted Living Facility in Independence, KS on December 30, 2020.

Fidel was born in Humboldt, KS on April 24, 1924. Humboldt was his home until he and his wife moved to Bartlesville, OK in the early 1950s. Fidel and his wife, Juanita, were married for 58 years. They had three sons together.

Prior to getting married, Fidel served in the U.S. Army with the First Infantry during World War II. He was wounded while in the Southern Philippines, after which he was honorably discharged in early 1946. After settling in Bartlesville, Fidel became a favorite with the locals working as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for 32 years. He made friends with those whose mail he delivered, and was also known to help the residents in ways both big and small on and off the job. Once retired, Fidel spent his time gathering regularly with friends and family, trying his luck at area casinos, attending Sooner football games, and making surprise visits to see his grandchildren.

Fidel is survived by his granddaughter Tessa (Ryan) Knoblauch of Missouri; grandson KC Ortiz of Texas; daughter-in-law Diana Herrera-Ortiz also of Texas; his three great-granddaughters Norah and Sydney Knoblauch, and Emery Ortiz; and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins from parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his wife Juanita Ortiz, three sons Steven, David and Ronald Ortiz, granddaughter Carisa Ortiz, his brothers Vincent Ortiz and Robert Rodrigues, and sister Connie Barnes.

A private interment will be held at a later date. For anyone wishing to honor Fidel, you can make a donation to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.