Francisco Martinez Jr.

Francisco Martinez, Jr. passed away, Monday, December 25, 2023. He was born in General Teran N. L. Mexico on May 9, 1933, to Francisco Martinez Garza and Herlinda Garcia de Martinez. He was raised in General Teran N. L. Mexico.

His Air Force career spanned a total of twenty-years, from 1954-1974, also serving in Vietnam from 1966-1967. He would retire in Austin, Texas to raise his family and later settle at home in Del Valle, Texas. He enjoyed living amongst many friends in the community near his ranch.

Francisco was stationed at Lubbock, San Antonio, Bryan, Iceland, Okinawa, El Paso, Abilene, Vietnam, Topeka Kansas, and Madrid Spain. While in Spain, he took guitar lessons to master his guitar playing skills which he would later use to perform in local restaurants, bars, and for family and friend’s celebrations. He had many accomplishments and accolades throughout his career and personal life but one special award he loved to share with others was the opportunity to play in a billiards tournament with Jack White, a professional billiards champion. Francisco had not only mastered the skill of playing the guitar, but he was a great billiards player. He won the tournament against Mr. White in Abilene, Texas when he was stationed at Dyess Airforce Base, Abilene, Texas from 1964-1965.

If you knew Francisco, then you would be a friend. There were no strangers in his life. He loved his family unconditionally. He loved his friends the same. You were either son, mijito, mijita, compadre, comadre or any other term of endearment. He shared the best memories of his childhood with his parents and brothers and sisters with his children. He made many amazing memories with his family through their travels while he was in the military and many more once retired. All of those will be cherished forever. This is his Legacy. We can’t describe his life without mentioning his many hobbies. He made many friends and connected with many family members through his love for fishing, raising farm animals, and boxing. He was quite the boxer in his time. Franciso was the trainer for the Air Force Boxing Team. There was not a time in our life when our father did not have a heavy bag or speed bag around the house.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Alma Delia Ball; siblings, Miguel Angel Martinez, Urbano Martinez, Jose’ Rene’ Martinez, Arturo Martinez, Santos Martinez, Aurora Gonzalez, Salvador Martinez, and Jose Maria (Chema) Martinez; and parents Francisco Martinez Garza and Herlinda Garcia de Martinez.

He is survived by his son Abel Martinez of Del Valle, Texas, daughter Nora Sanchez and Efrain of Round Rock, Texas, son Arnoldo Martinez of Round Rock, Texas, son, Marco Antonio Martinez and Julie of Salado, Texas; grandchildren, Amanda Farren (Nick), Crystal Aguilar (David), Michael Scott Ball, Julian Martinez, Nico Martinez, Elaina Martinez, Tyler Martinez, Tanner Martinez, and Tucker Martinez; great-grandchildren, Emmerson Farren and Harper Farren; siblings, Juan Martinez, Heraclio Martinez, Elba Teran, and Ernestina Martinez.

Francisco’s family would like to express their appreciation to Silver Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the professional and compassionate treatment their father received while in their care. In addition, the family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Abel Martinez and Ms. Debe Grant-Brown for their time and commitment, care, and well-being of their father. There was comfort in knowing our father was in the care of family who put his needs above all else. We should also mention it was during this time that he mastered the art of playing dominoes. Thank you, Abel, and Debe.

The Martinez Family will receive family and friends from 10:00 a.m., to 11:00 a,m., for a visitation, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home. Committal service with full honors will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas. A Reception Lunch will follow the graveside service. Details will be shared at the service.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to any of the US Veteran’s Organizations or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in an effort to help fight Alzheimer’s and Dementia.