Manuel Salaiz Ortiz, age 65, of Del Rio passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2008 after a battle with pulmonary fibrosis and multiple myeloma.  He was born on January 11, 1943 in Del Rio to Clemente and Petra Salaiz Ortiz.  He graduated from San Felipe High School and received a BS degree from Sul Ross University.  He married Patricia Smith on March 5, 1979 in Del Rio.  Manuel will be remembered for his years of participation in sports at the high school and college levels as well as his many years of teaching and coaching in public schools in Crosbyton, Lubbock, and Eagle Pass.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years Pat Ortiz; beloved daughters, Belynda, Alyxis and Andrea Ortiz; sisters, Nena Martinez and Carolina Ortiz; brothers, Clemente, Roy, Reynaldo, Mario, and Rick Ortiz.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 12 at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in Del Rio.  Family will receive visitors at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A reception will be held after the service at the San Felipe Ex Student Memorial Center, 500 Garza.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for lung disease research to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson St., Denver, CO  80206.