Juan Jesus Martinez

Juan Jesús Martinez, 74, of El Paso, Texas, passed away on September 30, 2022, after a 7-year long battle with liver disease stemming from medical complications. Juan was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on October 15, 1947, to Juan and Maria Esther Martinez. Juan graduated from Jefferson High School in El Paso, Texas, in 1966, and enlisted in the Marines shortly thereafter. Upon graduating from Camp Pendleton, he decided to continue his education and obtained a degree in nursing from The University of Texas at El Paso while serving in the Army Reserves. His call to service brought him to re-enlist in the Army full time where he fulfilled his love of being a nurse. He retired from the military after 25 years of service. He continued to work at Beaumont Army Medical Center for 17 years, as well as working part-time at Davita Dialysis Center.

Juan enjoyed his work and it showed through his beautiful smile and great sense of humor. He loved making people laugh. His witty personality was contagious, which would have everyone he met leaving with a smile. Juan had a love for music that started when he was a young boy, and was very excited when he bought his first record at the age of 12.  He shared that love with everyone by playing some type of music for anyone who would come over to visit, mainly oldies. If he wasn't listening to music, it was because he was watching football, specifically the Dallas Cowboys. Everyone knew when the Cowboys won because he would be in the happiest of moods. Juan also loved to travel, and was proud to be seen with family and friends driving in whatever new car he just bought.

Juan lived life the way he wanted and made no excuses for it, and was a fighter that lived more than a year longer than what doctors thought was possible.  He will be remembered for his teasing jokes, his entertaining stories, his unfailing work ethic, and his contagious smile. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. 

Juan is survived by his wife of 30 years, Maria Elvita Martinez, his five daughters and sons-in-law: Valerie (Steve) Benavidez, Jennifer Perkins, Cynthia (Sonny) Coronado, Elizabeth (Tony) Oropeza and Sandra (Joe) Rodriguez; his stepsons and daughter-in-law, Eddie (Amy) Vigil and Michael Vigil, along with his brothers and sisters: Javier Martinez, Ruben Martinez, Robert Martinez, Estella Martinez, Theresa Martinez-Flores, and Rosa Flores and so many nieces and nephews. Juan also had 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 PM, with Rosary at 6:00 PM on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Homes- Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass. Funeral Mass at 9:00 AM on Friday, October 14, 2022 at St. Patrick's Cathedral 1118 N. Mesa. Committal Service will take place at 10:30 AM, on Friday, October 14, 2022 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

Services entrust to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast.  Please visit his online memorial at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.