Robert Ortega

Robert Ortega

Robert (Boy) Saiz Ortega, 57, devoted dad and proud grandfather, of Eden, gained an eternal seat in Tom Landry’s skybox on Monday, February 22 surrounded by family and friends.

He was born in Mason on May 30, 1958 to Nicholas and Estanislada Ortega, the seventh of nine children. He and his siblings were raised in Menard. Although they had humble beginnings, traveling through the Panhandle and West Texas for seasonal field work and shearing sheep, they were always rich with love. He would not let a day go by without talking to his parents and siblings.

After Robert graduated from Menard High School in 1977, he married Diane Espinosa and moved to Eden to learn auto body repair from his father-in-law, Gilbert Espinosa, and Efrain Salazar. He then worked at Lubke’s for fifteen years before returning to take over Gilbert’s body shop in 1996. Along with repairs, he was the go-to guy for townspeople and desperate travelers alike, popping car locks and fixing flats; he was always willing to help. His shop was known as the gathering place where many would sit for hours telling jokes and drinking a few.

Boy had many hobbies, but they all tied back to time with family and friends. He hunted and fished the banks of the San Saba with his father and passed on that passion to his son. As his son grew older, Robert quickly traded his Yellowjacket jersey for a Bulldog shirt in support of Aquilas by coaching his little league teams or yelling from the football stands. And, his favorite conversations always started with “My son” or “My grandson.”

Robert enjoyed live Tejano and Texas Country music, often traveling to hear his favorites, especially down in Luckenbach. He picked up washer pitching in the early 80s; with his partner, Eddie Rodgers, they won tournaments all over the state-one of his first with his two week old son in tow. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and could not wait to call and antagonize his mother after each win.

He is remembered by his son Aquilas and wife, Tiffany; a nephew he raised as a son, Richard Espinosa, and grandsons Jacob Flores and Ryan, of San Angelo; parents Nicholas and Estanislada; brothers Nicholas Jr and Carolina, Lonny Sr of Menard, and Gilbert of Eden; sisters Paula Lopez, Celia and Jamie Gonzales, Delia and Larry Sockwell, Millie and Albert Ramon, and Rosalinda and Ray Hernandez, of Menard. He also left behind Becky Cortez of Brady and his former wife of 29 years, Diane Ortega of Eden; numerous nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his nephew, Jimmy Joe Hernandez.

Pallbearers, sporting Cowboys jerseys, are J.J. Castanuela, Bradley Gandy, Roger Gutierrez, Rudy Gutierrez, Eric (Buttercup) Holden, Eric Maldonado, Oscar Maldonado, and Richard Ortega.

Robert was simply everybody’s friend. He will be remembered for his Texas-sized sense of humor, his constant smile, and his motto, “It’s all good, Baby!”

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 am, Saturday, February 27 at Eden Funeral Home chapel.