In lieu of flowers, in honor of Marlow Martinez’s Memory, the Martinez Family requests that the following link be used to make donations to the Barrio Station Youth Program, 2175 Newtown Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
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Marlow Bobbie Martinez
Marlow Bobbie Martinez was born on October 14, 1948 in El Paso, Texas. He was the son of Salvador Martinez, a salesperson, and Linda Martinez, a homemaker. Marlow and his family resided in El Paso for two years before heading west to San Diego, California, for better prospects, eventually settling in a house in Lincoln acres on Ridgeway Road.
Marlow showed true leadership when his father left at the age 14. He found a job working as a cashier at Dairy Mart down the street from his home in Lincoln Acres in order to help his mother raise his seven brothers and sisters. Marlow continued working while attending school and graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1966.
In 1968, he entered the U.S. Army with a friend under the “buddy system”. In 1969 Marlow was sent to fight in the Vietnam War. He was devastated to learn one of his brothers, Gary, had been killed by a drunk driver in a car accident and was abruptly called home on emergency. Marlow was honorably discharged from service and immediately stepped into the father-role ensuring his mother and siblings were cared for.
After the Army, Marlow entered his 42-year career in Federal Civil Service. He began his career as an apprentice machinist and worked his way up to a supervisory position as Logistics Manager at Naval Air Station North Island. In 1974, Marlow married Piedad Martinez and together shared 14 matrimonial years. Marlow and Piedad’s first child, Marlow Martinez Jr. was born in 1974. In 1976 their second child Mark Martinez was born. Marlow had his final child, Matt Martinez in 1984.
Marlow worked very hard and was always the leader of the family, taking charge. He coached his younger siblings and his own children in many sport activities as well as coordinating many family outings and barbecues. He enjoyed meticulously organizing family/friends camping and skiing trips annually.
When Marlow wasn’t spending time with family and friends, he was helping disadvantaged citizens in the Logan Heights Barrio. In addition to supporting VFW Post 7420 functions, he was active in the Logan Heights Veterans’ Memorial Committee. He coordinated with the Chicano Federation to provide college scholarships for mid-city students. He conducted the annual Christmas Toys for Tots Project at the Barrio Station where he empowered the Hispanic community to give back to the youth. He was an active member of the National Organization for Mexican-American Rights (NOMAR) and served as past president. He was also an engaged member of the San Diego Chapter of the National IMAGE Hispanic Rights organization. Marlow is affectionately remembered for his daily e-mail communications– sending news and notices of events within the Post, MCL Scuttlebutt Detachment and to co-workers and friends at other local organizations.
In 2007 Marlow became a grandfather to Madison an angel who now looks over us. He had his second grandchild in 2009, Makaylen Martinez, an exuberant child and once again in 2011 with Marlow Martinez III.
On his downtime he usually returned home where his beloved dog Chief would be waiting by the door anticipating their daily walk with his long time partner Gloria. “Hot Dogs at Costco Tuesdays” was a weekly event for Gloria and Marlow.
Marlow never lost zest for helping the community, family, and friends. On the day of his stroke he was mentoring others by sharing his life story and the choices that made him successful. Marlow Bobbie Martinez passed away April 16th, 2013.
He is reunited with his mother Erlinda, brother Gary, Granddaughter Madison and best buddy Chief. He is survived by his brothers; Sal, Ron, Mark, Darren and his sisters Amelia and Cindy; along with his sons Marlow Jr., Mark, and Matthew; and his Grandchildren Makaylen and Marlow III.
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