Rev. Jose Martinez Jr.

January 4, 2023, as a result of Alzheimer’s disease.

Joe was born on February 11,1933, to José and Juana Reyes Martinez in Abilene, TX. He attended Abilene High School and then joined the US Army in 1950. He spent 19 months in Korea and was discharged from active duty in 1953, having attained the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. He joined the

Army Reserves after returning home and also began attending Hardin-Simmons University (HSU). On June 26, 1954, Joe married his lifelong friend, Minnie Ortiz, in Abilene, TX. In 1954 he joined the National

Guard where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He received his undergraduate degree at HSU in 1957 and was discharged from the National Guard in 1958.

His first job after graduating from HSU was working for the Texas Highway Department as a Chief Inspector for the I-20 Project in and around Abilene. His engineering career over the next 36 years included Hill Engineering, Brown & Root, and Jacobs Engineering (28 yrs). After retiring from Jacobs Engineering he became an ordained Baptist Minister. He was the lead pastor at Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel for 29 years (1993-2022). Joe was a professor at the University of Houston Downtown and taught Computer-Aided Drafting & Design (Engineering) for many years.

Joe proudly served on the Board of Trustees at HSU from 2004-2012. He was an avid sports lover and always enjoyed playing a round of golf.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Martinez, parents, José (Sr.) & Juana Reyes Martinez, Inez M. Chavez (sister), Isabel Jiménez (sister), Luis Martinez (brother), Anita González (sister),

and Joshua Bell (grandson).

Joe is survived by daughters Sandy Leathers & husband Terry, Donna Bell & husband Steve, and Toni Annette Arnold & husband Wayne.Grandchildren include Eric Lewis & wife Janie, Vanessa Bennett, Shaun Bennett, Philip Bennett & wife Laura, Daniel Bell & wife Beatrice. Great grandchildren are Nicholas Lewis, Emily Lewis and Cameron Fincham. He is also survived by his sister Rebecca Martinez and brothers Tony Martinez, Fred Martinez & wife Jean, and Dory Martinez. Joe is survived by many nephews and nieces as well and will be missed by many friends.