The Ortega Family Needs Your Help!!

On Thursday, February 8th 2024 Bryon Ortega passed away, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Bryon was a dedicated husband, father, and member of our Cary community. While Bryon had been dealing with health issues, his death was otherwise sudden and unexpected. Bryon leaves behind a wife, Julia, and two wonderful kids, Alex (age 9) and Jasmine (age 8). Julia has done an amazing job juggling parenting, working, and caring for Bryon, and now she needs her community's help the most as she grieves and prepares for her family's future.

Bryon's declining health in the recent year made him unable to work. This has impacted the family's finances, and his recent passing means that not only will Julia have to shoulder memorial costs (including traveling to California where most of their family resides), but she will also have to support her children on one salary in the future.

I (Christine Doss) met Julia and Bryon shortly after they moved to the Kingswood neighborhood in early 2021 after Bryon had successfully received a lung transplant at Duke Hospital. The Ortega family specifically moved to North Carolina from California as Duke was one of the only hospitals in the nation willing to give Bryon a chance at life. For 3 years the Ortega family made new memories and become beloved members of this community. Julia was one of 5 key members of "The Loop" Block Party planning committee, and Bryon was always a help on the day-of. He never missed a chance to chaperone his kids' field trips, was an excellent cook, and was the kind of unassuming guy that you'd be shocked was an extrovert as you got to know him. He held immense joy and pride in in children. Julia is an extrovert in her own right, and to know her is to love her. As our children became friends and I got to know her better I was amazed at her positive outlook on life despite what it threw at her. She has made an impact on so many people in her short time in Cary, making friends wherever she goes.

Julia needs help to remember Bryon, travel to California to be with close family during this time, and to build a foundation to support her children in the future. Please consider donating if you are able.