Jacinto Salinse Cortez

Family photo of Jacinto Cortez, from Dignity Memorial.

Jacinto Salinse Cortez was born on April 21, 1950, in Garden City, Texas. He grew up with three siblings: a brother, Jose Cortez, and two sisters, Elviva Cortez and Paulien Olvera. 

As described in his obituary, Jacinto was passionate about carpentry, machinery, and family. He was able to find work as a machine operator for the Packaging Corporation of America in its Texas branch and, in doing so, spent his days doing what he loved.

On October 14, 1977, Jacinto married Maria M. Cortez. Together, they had four children: Christina Cortez, Fidencio Michael Cortez, Michelle Cortez, and Amanda Ruiz-Cortez. 

Family photo of Jacinto Cortez, from Dignity Memorial.

While incarcerated at the Cotulla Unit, Jacinto was transported on July 13, 2020 to Hospital Galveston, where he tested positive for COVID-19. After a lengthy battle with the virus, Jacinto passed away on August 5, 2020, age 70. He is survived by his wife, children, and siblings, as well as a host of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. 

We mourn his loss.

This memorial was written by MOL team member Frances Keohane with information from reporting by Tanya Eiserer of WFAA and an online obituary posted by Jacinto’s family.