Gonzalo "Gonzo" Martinez III

Gonzalo is survived by his wife Vanessa Genoveva Martinez who he met in ROTC in 2011 and his mother, Lidia and father Gonzalo II, his older brother Andreux, his younger brothers Matthew, Christopher, and sister Savannah.

Gonzalo enlisted in the United States Army on 27 January 2020 in Houston, Texas. He joined the United States Army to continue his parents' legacy but there was two people he strived daily to make proud: his cousin Cadet Raul Smith and his uncle “Ben”, SFC Benny T. Smith, who both preceded him in death.

He attended basic combat training (BCT) and advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Upon completing BCT and AIT, he was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, where he served starting June 2020 in the 557th Engineer Construction Company (ECC), 864th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade.

While in 557th ECC, SPC Martinez served as a Heavy Construction Equipment Operator, Unit Armorer, and the First Sergeant's Driver. His military training included the Unit Armorer Course, the CBRN Response Enterprise (CRE) Basic, and CRE Mass Casualty Decontamination Course.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal. SPC Gonzalo career goals were to become a Commissioned Officer, attend flight school and retire from from the US Army just as his uncle Ben did.

Gonzalo was very active in his church and his church family. He participated in Bible studies and read his Bible religiously. In his short life he set many goals and never shied away from a challenge, he was a boxer, a volunteer firefighter, and magician. Ok, he never conquered magic but he used it to conquer his high school sweetheart Vanessa.

His hobbies included gaming, playing paintball, trying different cultural foods, learning how to cook our famines staple dishes. He loved cooking and baking most of all. He often said it was a way to get people to smile.

Flowers, cards, etc. can be sent to 311 red bud lane, new Caney, TX 77357 or in lieu of flowers please make donation to Alaskas Hope Animal Rescue

Zelle 8326441204

Email:

[email protected]