Ricardo I. Ortiz, age 39, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Sunday, December 22, 2024, at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado. He was born October 10, 1985, in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, the son of Esther Estrada.

Ricardo moved to Sublette from Texas at the age of 13. In high school, he ran cross country and graduated from Sublette High School in 2004. Ricado moved to El Paso, Texas, and hauled cotton from El Paso, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona. After moving back, he worked at various feedlots including Cactus Feeders where he was currently a maintenance mechanics. He also worked at Smyth Oil & Gas Services, was an equipment operator, and farmed and worked cattle for Mike Long. He was currently studying for his CDL. He married Sylvia Ochoa on July 13, 2007, in Ulysses. Ricardo enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys play football, watching television including Dragon Ball Z, spending time with his dogs Tilin and Bailey, grilling, eating seafood and family gatherings. It was important to him to spend time with his children and teach them life lessons and skills to help them figure out problems and projects on their own. Ricardo will be remembered by his many friends for always laughing, being kindhearted and looking out for everyone.

Ricardo is survived by his wife, Sylvia of their home; sons, Uriel A. Ortiz and Luis Ortiz both of Ulysses; mother and stepfather, Esther Estrada and Rito Garza of Garden City, Kansas; siblings, Frederico Ramos of Tornillo, Texas, Erica Estrada of Killeen, Texas, Cesar Estrada of Sublette, Kansas, Jessica Rivero of Oberlin, Kansas, Mario Garza, Rito Garza, Jr., and Anjelica Garza all of Garden City, Kansas, and Jennifer Badejo of Lincoln, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.
  
Visitation will be Saturday, December 28, 2024, from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses and Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Primeria Iglesia Bautista. Funeral service will be Monday, December 30, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Primeria Iglesia Bautista with Pastor Gustavo Perez officiating with interment following at the Ulysses Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Ricardo Ortiz Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.