Gerardo Ortiz-Vega passed away peacefully in his sleep, on October 21, 2024, at the age of 46.

Gerardo is survived by his daughter, Natasha Ruiz; grandchildren, Christian Churchill (Trey), Dustin Barber (Haley), Destiny Smith (Tyler), and Jacob Lively; nine great grandchildren Lucas, Broden, Teddy, Hazel, Carson, Everett, Beau, Windham, and Lizzie Beth; mother, Maria Isabel Vega Calderon and 7 siblings.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Ortiz, his daughter, Shannon Barber, and grandmother, Socorro Calderon.

Gerardo was a shepherd to sheep in Mexico, before traveling to the United States in 1994, where he met the love of his life, Rebecca. He has been a hard worker all of his life and laid concrete for 30 years. When Gerardo found Rebecca, he instantly brung love & completeness, like the missing piece to their puzzle. Gerardo proved so beautifully, that family & love is much thicker than blood. He chose Rebecca and her family, and loved them as his own. He brung his family to life with dancing, love, and his beautiful smile. The ones that love him most, call him Papa.

Gerardo & Rebecca's life began with dancing, now they are reunited and dancing together again in Heaven.