MAGDALENO BARAJAS CORTES

Magdaleno B Cortés took his last courageous breath on March 27, 2024, signing off on his own
terms and in his words, “living a good life and with few regrets." Magdaleno was born to the late
Magdaleno Cortés Baez, Sr., and Rafaela Cortés (Barajas) on November 22, 1941, in Tepatitlán
de Morelos, Jalisco, Mexico. Magdaleno’s formative years were spent in his beloved Tepa and
resulted in flourishing his enterprising spirit. He gathered a group of friends and made them
sales associates, selling Chiclets around the plaza. He would pay them and keep the earnings.
His mischief did not go unnoticed. He “borrowed” some fruit from an orchard and was chased by
an uncle who happened to be a police officer. Wanting to save embarrassment, he jumped into
a swollen creek not knowing how to swim. That was his one and only swimming lesson. His
family emigrated to the United States in 1958 when he was 16 years old, and they established
themselves in Boyle Heights. Being a good student, he continued his education and graduated
from Roosevelt High School, in 1962. He attended East Los Angeles College for a semester
with plans to return to Mexico to fulfill his dream of becoming a medical doctor. Life had other
plans.

He worked at Steven’s Steakhouse until he was drafted in 1964. He proudly served in the
US Army as a member of the 82 nd Airborne Division as a medic. His sense of adventure and the
extra pay led him to jump out of perfectly good planes. He was honorably discharged in 1966.
During his service he was “that” soldier that used a secure line to call his high school
sweetheart, and our mom, to wish her a Merry Christmas. While deployed in the Dominican
Republic he used his bilingual skills to his advantage. Not one to miss an opportunity to hustle,
he started selling supplies to the locals. It was all going to plan until his operation was
discovered by his sergeant. Being quick to think, he cut the sergeant in on the business. He
returned home with a "new" car, three bespoke suits and cash in his pocket. I say, it had been a
successful business.

In 1967, he married the love of his life, Glenda. He took a job at Farmer
John’s for a brief period, before joining the U.S. Post Office. Wanting to make ends meet, he
took a part-time job at Brooklyn Liquors in Boyle Heights. This was the beginning of his
illustrious career as a business owner. He eventually became business partners with the late
Jerome Reiter. Uncle Jerry gave “Mike” a shot and he took it. He eventually took over the
business and brought on a new partner, his brother Jorge. They eventually sold the business
and invested in a grocery store, Bob’s Market, in Whittier, which they ran together with
their brother-in-law, Sebastian for 16 years. He retired in 1998. He was a great provider and did
not shy away from giving advice, most of which he did not follow himself. He did things his way.

He believed in helping others, but more importantly in others helping themselves. He was a
proud citizen that often volunteered at the voting polls and made sure he always voted, up to
and including the primaries not long before he passed. If you knew him, you know he obviously
always voted conservatively. He believed in education and would encourage all to get an
education, whether formally or through experience. “Nobody can take away your education.” he
would say. He loved to travel, and he visited several countries together with our mom and
sometimes other family members. Invariably, he would make lifelong friends on those trips. He
was a pillar in the family and was a father figure to most. He encouraged all. He was a jokester
and was known to tell a good joke. In recent years, he really enjoyed meeting with a group of
friends after church on Sundays to share a meal and have fun.   

He was preceded in death by his father, Magdaleno, Sr., his mother, Rafaela, sisters, Esther [the first] and Aurora and brother, Gilberto. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Glenda. He would tell us, “I don’t want to make things difficult for you”, but left to deal with the aftermath he left behind are his two children Hernán (Karen) of Livermore, CA, and Michelle (Chris) of Jurupa Valley, CA. It was his way of keeping us involved. Do not worry dad, we will take care of it.   

 He was Tata to Aleksandr and Isaak Cortes, Christian, Julian, and Madelyn Hunt.
Left with decades of fond and colorful memories are his siblings Esther [the second] (Sebastian)
of Hacienda Heights, and Jorge (Maria) of Montebello, CA and sisters-in-law, Martha Perez of
Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, Maricela Nuñez of Mesa, AZ, Olga Gutierrez of San Gabriel, CA,
Maria Espinoza of Menifee, CA, Dena Lamarque of San Dimas, CA, Evelia Burnett of Brea, CA,
his wife’s sister-in-law, Eunice Bustamante of La Mirada, CA, his trusted Compadres Bazan as
well as many nieces, nephews and godchildren.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Magdaleno was a giver and donated to a plethora of causes. Behind his back, we called him the “United Nations of Causes”. The National Cemetery only allows three floral arrangements at the grave site. In lieu of flowers and if you still feel compelled to honor his memory, donations may be sent to: Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011
or ASPCA, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929

A vigil and rosary will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Grimes-Akes Family Funeral Home,
Corona, CA, from 5-8 pm. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, May 16th, at St.
Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Riverside, CA at 9:30 am. He will be interred with full
military honors following the Funeral Mass, at 11:30 am in Riverside National Cemetery. The
family is forever in debt to our “brother”, Daniel Alvarez (Leticia), for all his help over the years.
We could not have done it without you.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.

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