Linus Joseph Cortez, II

Linus Joseph Cortez II of Opelousas, Louisiana died peacefully, surrounded by family on November 6, 2023. He enjoyed a full and joyful life and left this earth with dignity, comfort and a strong faith in God looking forward to eternal life in heaven.

Linus was born in the Lawtell, Louisiana area at home on October 8, 1926. He grew up with a loving family on a farm and lived off the land farming and raising livestock until he reached the age of 18. Linus then moved to Opelousas and began his career in sales. He was blessed to work with successful mentors who always provided support for his growth in his business skills. Linus was a natural entrepreneur, and in the late 1960’s he purchased a Texaco station and soon thereafter purchased a second Texaco station. Linus developed these businesses, and they soon became some of the most successful filling stations in town. In the early 1970’s he was presented with the opportunity to purchase Gulino’s Grocery store on the Washington ighway. Once purchased, he named his new business Cortez’s IG Superette. Linus and his wife Gerry operated the store until their retirement in 1988. During their retirement, Linus and Gerry enjoyed spending time with their family, traveling the country in their motor home and enjoying time at their camp on Three Mile Lake. Additionally, Linus developed a trailer park and woodworking shop where he spent his days during retirement building swings, rockers, birdhouses, and other items out of wood and managing his trailer park.

Linus was preceded in death by his parents, Linus and Estella Lavergne Cortez; his stepfather Constant Jagneaux; his wife of his five children, Geraldine (Gerry) Marie Cortez who died in 2004; his wife later in life, Norma Trahan Prudhomme Cortez who died in 2019; his brothers Edwin Cortez, Lebon Cortez, Francis Cortez, Berchman Jagneaux and Adler Jagneaux; his sisters Vernice Darbonne, Ethel Woodson and Nathalie Cortez Ritter. He is survived by his children, Debbie (Pat) Spano, Kathy (Andy) Truxillo, Connie (Eric) Evans, Linus III (Ann) Cortez and Barry (Tricia) Cortez; his grandchildren, Corey Spano, Cayla Spano Millet, Jeremy and Jonathan Truxillo, Danielle Truxillo Britt, Linus IV, Thomas, Peyton and Caroline Cortez, Grace, Joseph and Andrew Cortez; his great-grandchildren, Isabella, Camden, Paisley, Hunter, Conner, Tyler, Addie, Elliot and Olivia; and his sister Nita Kessinger.

Linus will always be remembered for his honesty, love of God and his family, strong work ethic and an outgoing and lively personality. Linus' friends would often say, "If you are going somewhere with Linus and Gerry you will have a fun time." Linus loved cooking his special dishes and was sometimes caught by Gerry sneaking ingredients into her cooking. Linus' dishes will remain alive in the Cortez family for many generations to come, as his children and grandchildren are demonstrating today. He loved to cook squabs he raised, squirrels he hunted, beef tongue and his sausage and potatoes dish, all in his black iron pots. Linus also had a great following in his grocery store for his smoked and fresh sausage, boudin and rice dressing mix, recipes his children have and cherish today.

Visitation will be held at 8:00 am on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Lafayette, LA followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10:00 am. Burial services will be held immediately after the mass at Saint Landry Catholic Church mausoleum.

The family expresses their appreciation for the dedicated and loving services provided by Acadian Hospice and Quality of Life Services.

Donations can be made in Linus’ name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.