Jeffrey Ebsen Lortz, age 78, passed away on August 27 th after a long and courageous battle
against cancer.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, George Lortz of Raleigh, NC, his mother, Christina Lortz
of Raleigh NC, and his daughter Trinity Lortz of Orlando, FL. He is survived by his former wife
Mary Ann Lortz of Sanford, FL, daughter Myriah Lortz of Orlando, FL, and his two brothers Kit
Lortz (Becky) of Lawrenceberg, IN and Eric Lortz (Linda) of Louisville, KY, nephews Pete Lortz
(Kristan) of Seattle, WA, Mark Lortz (Amy) of Mason, OH, Ryan Lortz of Wheat Ridge, CO, and
Reid Lortz of Chicago, IL. Jeff is also survived by six great nieces and nephews, Gracy Boes,
Maggie Lortz, Leandra Lortz, Alexandra Lortz, William Lortz and Sara Lortz.
Jeff was an outstanding athlete at Millbrook High School between 1957 and 1961 and was
elected to the Millbrook Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 along with his two brothers. He went on
to star as a running back and defensive linebacker at DePauw University between 1961 and
1965. While a student at DePauw, Jeff was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity,
Lambda Chapter. After college Jeff served in Korea with the military for two years and then
started his business career in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to Houston, Texas in the 70's and
became Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Telerent Leasing Corporation where he was
employed for over twenty years before moving to the Orlando, Florida area in the same
capacity.
After retirement, he became very involved with Lake Mary High School athletics, serving as a
girls' basketball coach for several years (the students called him "bubblegum man" as he kept a
supply for everyone) and a key fund raiser for the athletic department. Jeff also maintained his
close association with DePauw University serving six consecutive years on the University's
Alumni Board of Directors, making significant contributions in that capacity.
Jeff was an avid reader and sports fan. He enjoyed playing soccer, golf, horse racing and Fantasy
Football. His passion in life was his love for his family and friends from his high school and
college days and was the communication link in keeping them all together and in touch with
one another. Jeff will be greatly missed and remembered as a wonderful friend, loving father,
and endeared brother.
His immediate family will hold a lakeside gathering to spread his ashes on Timberlake in
Raleigh, NC, where he grew up and his family lived for over 50 years. This will be followed by an
Egg Drop Soup Club luncheon for friends and family members to honor Jeff's long association
with that group.