Jesus "Chito" Garcia Martinez

Jesus “Chito” Garcia Martinez, age 86, a resident of Corpus Christi, Texas and a former longtime resident of Taft, Texas passed away Sunday, October 16, 2011 in Corpus Christi. Mr. Martinez was employed as a rancher for Bobby Floerke and Theodore Rippstein. He was of the Catholic faith.

Chito is survived by his wife of 64 years, Frances C. Martinez of Corpus Christi; one son, Jose Martinez (Dolores) of Kingsville, Texas; seven daughters, Alicia Garcia (Juan) and Aurora Garcia (Joey), both of Kingsville, Maria Garcia (Carlos), Adela Pena, Margarita Serrano (Guadalupe) and Juanita Jaime (Longino), all of Corpus Christi, and Rosita Nelson (Michael) of Brighton, Colorado; one sister, Pauline Blake (Robert) of California; 37 grandchildren; 115 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will take place from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Fr. Francisco Lopez as celebrant. Burial will follow in Taft at the Taft Memorial Park Cemetery.

Services are entrusted to Colonial Funeral Home, 204 North Meyer Street, Taft, Texas.