Alfonso “Poncho” Cortez, 76, of Coahoma, died Saturday, September 15, 2018 at his residence. Vigil services will be 7:00 PM Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Funeral mass will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park.He was born May 17, 1942 in San Benito, Texas to Alfonso and Beatrice Cisneros Cortez. He married Delfina Cruz September 16, 1961 in Stanton, Texas.Poncho was a longtime resident of Martin County. He worked as a farmer and a welder. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, listening to music and singing, and cooking bar-b-que, he was well known for his smoked brisket and homemade BBQ sauce. He moved to Howard County in 1995.Survivors include his wife, Delfina Cortez of Coahoma; six children, Alfonso Cortez III and wife, Margrete of Big Spring, Mary Cortez and Felix Garcia of Coahoma, Linda Stacy and husband, Rob of Sand Springs, Baldomar Cortez and wife, Gloria of Coahoma, Gilbert Cortez and wife, Barbara Massingill of Snyder and Christina Cortez and husband, J. R. Ramirez of Leander; 16 grandchildren, Valarie, Vickie, Vanessa, Veronica, Veda, Rebecca, David “Guero”, Kameron, T. J., Johnathan, Lauren, Brittnie, Paul, Julia, Laura, and Chelsea; 23 great-grandchildren, Amaliah, Brandyn, Austin, Kinley, Audrina, Riva, Emory, Aziah, Drayke, Analeah, Alaylah, Justice, Sammi, Arriana, David, Julian, Christian, Grayson, Zylie, Anthony, Nikko, Thalia and Dominic; two brothers, Gilbert Cortez and Paul Cortez; three sisters, Elida Cortez, Maria Elena Cortez and Mary Beatrice Cortez; several nieces and nephews; and his extended family, the Tunnell family.He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Baldomar Cortez and Guadalupe Cortez; one granddaughter, Alexandria Cortez; one nephew, Mario E. Lopez; and his best friend, Mac Tunnell.Pallbearers will be David Rodriquez, T. J. White, Johnathan White, Paul A. Cortez, Josh Tunnell, Eric Tunnell, Jonathan Tunnell and Rob Stacy. Honorary Pallbearers are Brandyn Cortez and Tommy White.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com,
