Adam Joseph Ortiz

Adam Ortiz, 81, entered God's kingdom Saturday, December 19 peacefully, in the arms of his wife.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Adam and Luisa Ortiz of Amarillo, TX; son, Richard Mario Ortiz of Gulfport; brother, Rev. Onie Ortiz; and two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary.
Adam is survived by his wife of many years, Lisa, and daughters Sandee and Ana Ortiz of Gulfport; Margo (Marc) Goodwin of Chicago, IL; sons, Mark (Patti) Ortiz of Philadelphia, PA, and Dr. Daniel (Holly) Ortiz of Scottsboro, AL; six grandchildren; a sister, Meg, and a brother, Arthur.
Being a dedicated man of God, he asked the Lord at a young age for the gift of a singing voice and was rewarded with a magnificent operatic voice and taught music all of his life at various schools, retiring as the Chairman of the Fine Arts Department at MGCCC, J. D. Campus, Gulfport, MS.
Adam received his Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music Education in Applied Music, and Vocal Pedagogy degrees, as well as Ph.D. Studies in Vocal Therapy from USM in Hattiesburg, MS.
He was a member of Choral Conductor's Conference and listed in ""Who's Who"" in Outstanding Educators of the Southwest.
He had leading roles in the operas ""Don Giovanni"", ""La Boheme"", and ""Tosca"", as well as conducting four performances of ""The Messiah"" by Handel, and conducting ""Seven Last Words"" by Dubois, Brahm's ""Requiem"", and ""Mass in G"" by Schubert in Keesler Community Chorus and Gulf Coast Symphony.
A veteran of the Korean War, he served as Choral Conductor, USAF Keesler Male Chorus, Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS when he conducted on the Ed Sullivan show in 1968. Adam became the music coordinator for Harrison County School System and served as Director of Music for various churches over the years.
Being a true servant of God, he followed his calling as a beloved educator, husband, father, grandfather, Gideon, and conductor of the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra, and volunteered vocal instruction at his home after retirement till his passing into Glory. ""Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant."" ""Always my Love""
Visitation will be held Friday, January 15, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS. A procession will follow to Biloxi National Cemetery for an 11:00 a.m. graveside service with military honors.
A Celebration of Life Event will be held the same day from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5007 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, MS in the sanctuary. Family and friends are welcome to attend all events. In lieu of flowers, Adam requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in his honor. (www.st.jude.org)
Memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com