David Ortiz

Oah non nuet (He Carries A Heavy Burden) Dave Ortiz, 68, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones, on January 24th in Maidencreek, Pennsylvania.  He was born on January 30, 1953 in San Bernardino, California to Corina Perez Amaro of Hondo, TX.

Dave graduated from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, TX. He served during wartime 1971-1975 as a Petty Officer 3rd Class for the U.S. Navy and studied Applied Science at San Antonio College. Dave made his career as a Master Carpenter and was a proud member of Carpenters Union Local 14 in San Antonio, TX.

Under the mentorship of Vernon Bellecourt, Herschel Kaulaity, and Wanbli Tate in the 1980s, Dave began his service for his people in the American Indian Movement. In 2009, Dave founded the Central Texas Chapter of American Indian Movement where he served as the Director and as a member of the American Indian Movement National Grand Governing Council.  In 2020, he advanced to the position of National Chapter Coordinator and became a member of the Executive GGC of the American Indian Movement National. He was most proud of the increase of AIM’s female leadership during the time of his service and of his 12 years as a Sun Dancer at International Green Grass in South Dakota. 

Dave will be lovingly remembered as a fierce advocate for Indigenous Peoples, women, children, and the elderly. He had the honor of being called Father, Uncle, Grandfather, Brother, and Friend by many people within the community. 

Dave was preceded in death by his grandparents, Juanita and Gustavo Perez of Hondo, TX, and David and Gregoria Ortiz of Portland OR; his mother Corina Perez Amaro, his adopted father Herschel Kaulaity of Lawton, OK, and son Reno Dave Ortiz.

Dave is survived by his loving wife, Ioronhiaa (Little Blue Sky) Ramona Woods; children: Desiree Ortiz(Adrian Garcia), Dylan Ortiz, Marilyn Berryhill, Steven Morales, and Samantha Reddick; his siblings: Diane Ortiz Kelly, Ed Ortiz, Mary Palacios, Jackie Dunn, Lillie Nelson, Carol Kaulaity, Mary Kaulaity, Sandra Kelley, and Robert P. Amaro; his grandchildren: Jaden Berryhill-Moreno, Mila Murphy and Gannon Murphy; many nieces and nephews.

The family gives special thanks to Nurse Kyrie Hawkins from Tower Health at Home Hospice and the caring faculty and staff of the McGlinn Cancer Institute Reading Hospital.

A Memorial Ceremony will be on Sunday March 20th at 10:30 at the John William Helton-San Antonio River Nature Park Pavillion, 15662 FM 775, Floresville, TX 78114.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Society of Native Nations, 10730 Potranco Rd. Suite 122-282, San Antonio, TX 78251

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