Jesus Martinez

Our Dad, Jesus Martinez, Sr., 87, was called to heaven after a brief illness on Saturday, February 9, 2008 and was surrendered by family and friends. He was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico and became a resident of El Paso, Texas at a very young age. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 and became a U.S. Citizen that same year, something he was extremely proud of. He was a WWII veteran of the Pacific Theatre and assigned to sea duty on patrol (PT) boats, attaining the rank of Machinist Mate 2nd class. Upon being honorably discharged in 1946, he began his 42 year career as a laborer and progressed to a shop supervisor at American Smelting and Refining Co. (ASARCO) retiring in 1986. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and at one time was elected Commander of the Willie Barraza Post. From early childhood he enjoyed participating in various sports - he especially received great pleasure from fishing and playing golf. He was a regular avid participant with sons and grandsons in the Annual Smeltertown Reunion Golf Tournament. Mr. Martinez was preceded in death by his wife, Beatriz, in 2006. Left to cherish his memory are his children: Robert (Phoenicia), Willie (Nellie), Elvira Martinez, Estela Banks (Jim), Alfredo (Bea), Jesus Martinez, Jr. (Alice), Irene Petry (Daniel) and his sister Carmen Palacios of San Jose, CA. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and a host of nephews and nieces. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 from 5 P.M. to 9 P.M. with a vigil to commence at 7:00 P.M. at Santa Teresita Catholic Church, 3400 Zapal Avenue. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. also at Santa Teresita Catholic Church. Pallbearers include Robert, Willie, Alfredo, Jesus Martinez, Jr., David Martinez, Willie Martinez, Jr. and Jim Banks. Service entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home – West.