John Martinez

John was the first of 13 children born, September 29, 1929 in Mead, Colorado to Gabriel Martinez and Manuelita Archuleta Martinez. However, if you had asked his mother, John was born on September 27, 1929. John lived in Mead until he was 2 years of age at which point his father decided they should move to Sapello, New Mexico to help his grandparents on their farm. At the age of 11, John’s father moved the family to Frederick, Colorado, so that his kids could have a better education. John’s father arranged their trip back to Colorado on the Western Sugar Train.

John enlisted in the Air Force in 1959 and was stationed in Korea and then Okinawa, Japan for the remainder of his service. While John was stationed in Japan he and his Platoon adopted an orphanage. They would use their money to buy the children food, candy, presents, and they built them a basketball court. John was honorably released from active duty in 1956. In 1959, John married Madeline Rivera. They lived in Frederick, Colorado and had three sons; John Jr, Darrell, and Steve Martinez. Madeline preceded John in death. Over the years, John owned a Texaco gas station, a small restaurant, a NAPA, and pallet business.

On September 13, 1991, John married Nancy Sutherby in Rinn, Colorado. John and Nancy had many adventures together and were always out and about. They would take trips to Black Hawk, where John was known to be quite lucky. They also traveled to Iowa and New Mexico to visit family and friends along with many other outings.

John was a proud member of the V.F.W., a founding member of the American Legion, and the Tri-Town Lions Club. He helped organize the Tri-Town Food Bank where he would do weekly hauls to the food bank. On his way, John would stop and give food to the field workers who were here from Mexico working. John was also the President of the Tri-Town Lions Club and the Games Manager for the Tri-Town Lions Bingo for 30 years. John loved to tell stories of his childhood and service days, was passionate about helping others and loved spending time with his family.

John was preceded in death by his parents Gabriel Martinez and Manulita Archuleta Martinez, and siblings Peter, Samuel, Leo, Felix and Nick Martinez, and Polly Pacheco and Ida Trujillo. He leaves behind his wife Nancy Martinez, three sons John Jr., Darrell and Steve Martinez, and 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Charlette Martinez, and brother’s Max, Roy and Ruben Martinez as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family and friends.

A visitation for John will be held on Thursday, September 6, 2018 from 5:00-6:00 P.M. with the Rosary immediately following at 6:00 P.M. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 436 Fifth Street, Frederick, CO 80530. Refreshments will follow at the Bella Rosa Golf Course, 5830 Bella Rosa Pkwy, Frederick, CO 80504. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 323 Collyer Street Longmont, CO 80501. Interment will be at Foothills Gardens of Memory, 14241 N 107th Street, Longmont, CO 80504. Reception to follow at the Bella Rosa Golf Course, 5830 Bella Rosa Pkwy, Frederick, CO 80504.