Reverend Arthur Lee Hubert Cortez, 77 of Jeffersonville, Indiana was called from labor to reward on Friday, November 27, 2020 at Clark Memorial Hospital.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, December 9 at Legacy Funeral Center with burial at Walnut Ridge Cemetery.
Reverend Cortez, or “Rev. Art” as he was affectionately known, was born in Carthage, Missouri one of ten children on May 1, 1943, to Lewis and Leta Cortez. His parents and two brothers preceded him in death.
Rev. Art is survived by his loving wife Joyce Luney-Cortez, and six children, Michael Cortez, Michelle (DeWayne) Hill, Malcolm Cortez, Joseph Luney, Fabrienne Alexander, and Jackie Alexander; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; seven siblings Mary Frances Busch, Constance Moss, Ralph Cortez, Bruce (Nancy) Cortez, Sandy Griffin, C.A. (Donna) Cortez, Cedric (Jan) Cortez; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Rev. Art was an exceptional athlete at an early age. In the 8th grade, he won the championship in pole vaulting. While in high school he starred in football and basketball but excelled in track and field. While attending Joplin Junior College Rev. Art lettered in football and basketball, but again excelled in track and field. He often competed in nine events and in 1963 he broke the stadium record in the 100-yard dash at the Pitt State Relays. He continued his track and field career at the University of Kansas. Rev. Art earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Kansas, and a Master of Education from Ohio University. While at Ohio he coached high school football and track and track at Ohio University. Rev. Art taught physical education courses at Vincennes University from 1974 to 2000. While at Vincennes he coached an individual national champion and All-Americans in both cross country and track.
Rev. Art answered his call to the ministry in 1998. He served in the Illinois and Indiana Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal church and pastored Bethel AME Church in Princeton, Indiana, Bethel AME Church, New Albany, Indiana, Allen Chapel AME Church, Danville, Illinois, and Alexander Chapel AME Church, Evansville, Indiana. While he loved coaching and teaching, he loved preaching the most. His desire was that every lost soul be saved. He retired from the ministry in 2018.
