Rev. Teofilo Cortes

Teófilo Cortés, un esposo amoroso, padre devoto, pastor respetado y amigo querido, falleció pacíficamente, rodeado de su familia. Nacido en Utuado, Puerto Rico, el viaje de Teófilo comenzó con raíces humildes que eventualmente lo llevaron a una vida de servicio, emprendimiento y fe profunda. En 2001, Teófilo y su amada esposa Juanita establecieron su hogar en Poinciana, Florida, donde imaginaron jubilarse, solo para encontrarse respondiendo a un llamado una vez más. Teófilo trabajó incansablemente durante toda su vida, primero emigró a Cleveland, Ohio, para trabajar como agricultor antes de pasar al trabajo en una fábrica. El espíritu emprendedor de Teófilo brilló mientras él y Juanita vendían “comforters de cama”, ollas y sartenes de Life Time y productos Herbal Life puerta a puerta. También abrieron una tienda de comestibles en el vecindario y la primera biblioteca cristiana de Cleveland, LIBRERIA CRISTIANA, ubicada en 3250 Lorain Ave, que fue de bendición a la comunidad; después de various dueños, fue cerrada en 2022. Su última carrera como comerciante de chatarra llenó sus días conduciendo y clasificando. A la edad de 26 años, Teófilo recibió un llamado divino a predicar y llevó su misión a México, donde predicó la Palabra de Jesús a los Indios Taumara. Al regresar, él y Juanita continuaron su trabajo misionero, que culminó con la instalación de Teófilo como pastor de La Última Trompeta, una iglesia pentecostal en Kenosha, Wisconsin. Allí, él y Juanita se dedicaron a restaurar la casa de Dios, construyendo una casa pastoral totalmente equipada para su ministerio. En 2001, Teófilo y Juanita hicieron la transición a Poinciana, Florida, donde sus planes de jubilación rápidamente se transformaron en un ministerio activo una vez más, ya que Teófilo sirvió como pastor interino de la iglesia en Polk City durante cuatro años. Posteriormente se convirtieron en valiosos miembros de Casa de Fuego bajo el liderazgo del Reverendo Manual Santo. Teófilo se reúne en el cielo con sus padres, Ignacio Cortés, Sr. y Julia González, y sus amados hermanos, Miguel, Gilberto y Olga. Deja atrás a sus hermanos y hermanas Abraham, Ignacio, Radamés, David, Alicia y Julita, además de su querida esposa, Juanita, con quien compartió 63 increíbles años de matrimonio. Disfrutaron de un compañerismo lleno de amor, viajes y compromiso de servir. A Teófilo le sobreviven sus hijos: Abigail (casada con Nathan), Israel, Débora, César Luis (casada con Desiree) y Obed. Fue un orgulloso abuelo de Israel Jr., Burton, Gavin, Natalie, Obed Jr., Olivia, Jeremiah, Alexandra, Rebecca y Johnny Ray, y bisabuelo de Mya, Locklyn, Annistyn, Jonah, Jacob, Elias, y un bebé que llegara en abril. Su esposa e hijos son más orgullosos del esposo y padre amoroso, proveedor de seis casas para su familia, y por asumir su llamado pastoral. Los pasatiempos de Teófilo incluían cultivar cilantro, tomates, gandules, naranjas y pimientos. Jugando una variedad de juegos, incluyendo cartas, rummy (con sus propias reglas) y dominó con Juanita y su hija Debbie y con sus hijos y nietos. A Teófilo le encantaba preparar comidas deliciosas para eventos de la iglesia y reuniones familiares. Teófilo era un poeta talentoso, cuando hablaba inspiraba y los que lo conocieron siempre pedían que recitara “Ese Camino de Barro”. Con frecuencia cantaba canciones de alabanza y adoración, trayendo alegría a quienes lo rodeaban. Su esposa, Juanita, admiraba su devoción y se animó cuando, en sus últimas semanas, se despertaba en medio de la noche y lo escuchaba todavía cantando y alabando. Rev. Teofilo Cortes was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico on April 11, 1940. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio, Kenosha Wisconsin and since 2001, Teofilo and Juanita lived in their home here in Poinciana, FL. He migrated to Cleveland to work as a farmer, then worked in a factory. He had side jobs with Juanita as door-to-door sales of comforters, Lifetime pots & pans, and Herbal Life. As an entrepreneur, he opened a neighborhood grocery store and Cleveland’s very first Christian library – LIBRERIA CRISTIANA - 3250 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, Ohio; after several owners, doors closed in 2022. His last career was Scrap Dealer – that was a fun pastime and it was not uncommon for people to call him to pick up stuff or drop it off to him. At 26, he received a calling to “preach My Word”. He went to Mexico to spread the Word of Jesus to the Indios Taumara. He later returned with his wife and continued to serve as a missionary. At 57, he was installed as pastor of the Pentecostal church M.E. in Kenosha Wisconsin. The church, La Ultima Trompeta, was in the Lincoln Theatre built in 1920 at 6923 Fourteenth Avenue, Kenosha, WI. The members were predominantly Mexican. God had prepared Teofilo & Juanita to learn this culture and serve this community in Mexico. There was no pastoral home and the building needed to be restored. There, Teofilo and Juanita used the skills they picked up as homeowners in Cleveland to restore God’s House and they enhanced the building by building the pastoral home – laundry room, kitchen, living & dining room, full bathroom and 3 bedrooms! In 2001, Teofilo & Juanita moved to Poinciana Florida to retire – or so they thought. Teofilo was call to serve as interim pastor for the church in Polk City. Teofilo & Juanita faithfully served and did the one-hour commute to Polk City for 4 years before they retired. Since then, they have been active members under the leadership of Reverend Manual Santo at Casa de Fuego! Teofilo has been reunited in heaven with his parents Ignacio Cortes, Sr. and Julia Gonzalez and his siblings Miguel, Gilberto, Olga Teofilo leaves with us his siblings Abraham, Ignacio, Radames, David, Alicia, Julita Teofilo loved nothing more than being a husband and good friend to Juanita. They were best friends and supported each other in everything; they traveled, they served, they enjoyed daily living together for 63 years!!! Teofilo leaves behind his children Abigail (married to Nathan), Israel, Debora, Cesar Luis (married to Desiree), and Obed His grandchildren Israel Jr., Burton, Gavin | Abigail: Natalie Obed: Obed Jr., Olivia | Cesar: Jeremiah, Alexandra, Rebecca, Johnny Ray And his great-grandchildren Mya, Locklyn, Annistyn, Jonah, Jacob, Elias, baby boy arriving in April We most admire Teofilo's for: • His relationship with his wife and children, providing his family 6 houses to call home! • His wise wisdom in words and in action – when Israel consulted on buying a business, his response was “go ahead and buy because it’s better to have tried and failed at something than not have tried at all”. He had creditability because he owned 2 businesses and took on several side-jobs to provide for needs and wants throughout his life. • His willingness to step into the calling he had in his teens by accepting to go to a very cold state and becoming pastor for the first time at the age of 57! • His hobbies: cultivating cilantro, tomatoes, gandules, oranges, and peppers; playing cards, rummy (his rules), dominoes and games his grandchildren introduced him to. And, his love for cooking – there were so many church conventions and lots of good family meals - it was always DELICIOUS! • Happily singing songs of praise and worship – even in his last days, Juanita would wake up in the middle of the night listening to him as he sang, prayed, and worshipped God A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm at Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal, M.I. in Kissimmee, Florida. He will be laid to rest on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11am at Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery in Kissimmee, Florida. Rev. Teofilo will forever be remembered and loved by all those who knew him. May he rest in peace. Funeral services entrusted to Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Crematory, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Phone: (407) 847-2494 - For online condolences please visit: www.OsceolaMemGds.com In lieu of Flowers please donate using the following link: https://app.easytithe.com/App/Form/87b3b7be-a90d-493f-bfea-7c2adf6261cb (it's the same link for the QR-Code in the photo section)

Rev. Teofilo Cortes

April 11, 1940 - February 16, 2025