Joseph Alfred Cortez, 1SG, US Army Retired, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, also known as Freddie, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023.

Joseph was born September 9, 1939 in Cimarron, New Mexico to Eutimio Cortez and Elvira Esquibel Cortez of the Ute Creek Ranch in Ute Park, NM.

Joseph attended the Cimarron public schools and graduated in1957.  Two weeks later he enlisted in the US Army and shipped out to Ft. Polk, LA where he took his basic combat training with the 1st Armored Division.  He completed several tours in his Army career including Korea and Vietnam.  He was stationed in Germany and was able to see Italy and Spain while there.  He also served as a recruiter during his 23 years of service in the Army before retiring.

Joseph met his wife Mary in Fort Carson, Colorado in 1968 and were married later the same year.  They were married for 51 years before Mary's passing in 2019.  Joseph has 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Joseph was a devoted soldier, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and friend to all.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Eutimio and Elvira Cortez and by his wife, Mary Cortez.  He is survived by his son, Raymond (Danny) Cortez; daughters, Regina (Gina) Cortez,  Monica and husband Nick Telles, Angela and husband Luciano Valdez and Rebecca (Becky) Cortez;  grandchildren, Stephanie, Samantha, Melissa, Gabriella, Anastasia, Luciano, Liliana, Nicole and Noah; great grandchildren, Courtlynne, Hendrix and Alexander; brothers, Joseph (Ruben) Cortez and wife Gloriana and  Pete Cortez; sisters, Margie and husband Eddie Montoya, Patsy and husband Gilbert Zamora and Frances Romero.

Services will be held at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church 8301 Camino San Martin SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. A viewing will begin at 10:15 am. The Rosary will be recited at 10:30am with the Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated at 11:00 am.  Pallbearers will be Luciano Valdez, Luciano Valdez, Jr., Nick Telles, Raymond (Danny) Cortez, Daryl Eberting and Gilbert Martinez. A reception will follow the Church Services, at the American Legion Post 13 at 1201 Legion Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102.

Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with full US Army Honors