Jordan Lupe Ortiz

Jordan Lupe Ortiz, 42, of Winter Haven, Florida passed away on January 3, 2025. Jordan was born on June 21,1982, in Winter Haven. He is the son of Guadalupe P. Ortiz and Deborah Tagg Ortiz. A graduate of Lakeland's Santa Fe Catholic High School, Jordan was an athlete who lettered in soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, and football. While serving as the starting quarterback, he led the Crimson Hawks to the playoffs in 1998 and 1999. A leader on the field and in the classroom, Jordan graduated with honors in 2001. From there, he attended the University of South Florida and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in business finance. Jordan met the love of his life, Erica Gilbert, when introduced by his future mother-in-law, the late Vicki Noblitt. The two married on Dec. 6, 2008.   

Jordan loved numbers, math, and logic, and he brought these passions and his considerable skills and experience to Haines City's finance department, where he was employed as the accounting manager at the time of his passing. While he adored the challenges of his career, Jordan was always happiest when spending time with his wife and their son, Lucas, his greatest achievement. 

Jordan was known for his sly wit and ability to tell stories with dry humor that would leave listeners breathless with laughter. He loved watching basketball and football with Lucas, who inherited his father's love of sports trivia and stats. Jordan also loved movies, quoting his favorites and creating in-jokes with his closest family and friends, as well as playing poker.

He is survived by his wife, Erica; son, Lucas, father, Lupe; mother, Debi; brother and sister-in-law Michael and Kristy Ortiz, nieces, Clara and Aubrey; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sam and Erikalyn Noblitt, nephew Lucian, and nieces Payton and Amelia; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and too many friends to mention. He was deeply loved and is sorely missed.