Henry Rodriguez Martinez, Sr., age 91 passed away on July 23, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. He was born on June 15, 1928 in Eagle Ford, Texas to Jose Calvillo Martinez and Maria de Jesus Martinez. Henry Sr., was raised in the Ledbetter Eagle Ford area of Dallas and attended Crozier Tech High. He served in the Army from 1950-1952 earning the rank of Private First Class. He married Eufemia Paredes Martinez in 1955 and the couple had eight children. Mr. Martinez Sr., also had three other children. He worked as a driver for the Martinez Courier Service and Dallas Power and Light for more than fifteen years. In his spare time, he enjoyed working in the community which led to his forming the Ledbetter Neighborhood Association in the early 80's which he continued working with until his retirement in 2010. At that time, he passed the torch to his sons, Henry R. Martinez, Jr. and Eladio Martinez. His family and friends will always remember him as a true leader in West Dallas. As a result of his service, many people referred to him as the Godfather of West Dallas. Although his life was filled with many accomplishments, a few of those most important to him include:
* Changing the Trinity Portland Cement Company Mexican Cemetery to El Campo Santo De Cemento
Grande with a historical marker, two flag poles, a sign with historical pictures of the village and a few
family grave markers in Pinnacle Park.
* Installed a historical marker preserving the Eagle ford community name in front of the Dallas Fire
Station on Chalk Hill Road.
* Changed Jim St. Park on Jim St. to Eladio R. Martinez Park after a World War II soldier killed in the
Philippines.
* Changed Lamboley St. to Martinez Trail and later changed Lumly to Martinez Trail extending it to
Singleton Blvd. in honor of Eladio R. Martinez, a World War II soldier living in the neighborhood.
* Changed Jaycee Park to Ignacio Zaragoza Park relating to the Ignacio Zaragoza statue which was
donated to Mr. Antonio Ortiz. He was the President of the Ledbetter Neighborhood Association, by the
Mexican Government in Mexico City.
* Named a new DISD 9th Learning Center and first Hispanic school to Eladio R. Martinez Learning
Center after a World War II hero. Eladio R. Martinez Learning Center is a feeder school to Gabe P.
Allen and is located at 4500 Bernal Drive.
* Named the library of Eladio R. Martinez Learning Center after Feliberto Martinez, another World War II
hero and brother of Eladio R. Martinez.
* Installed a "Welcome" sign on the median in front of Eladio R. Martinez Learning Center.
* Installed a second "Welcome" sign on the median at Norwich Street and Singleton Blvd.
* Participated with the Hispanic group that joined Roy Williams and Marvin Crenshaw in the lawsuit for 14-1 Districts of the City of Dallas and won.
* Supported the prevention of a juvenile facility from being built in the neighborhood.
* Supported efforts to clean the neighborhood of lead contamination.
* Supported the renovation in turning Bernal Drive from a two lane to a four lane drive.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Eufemia Paredes Martinez; daughter, Victoria Paredes Magana and son, Joe Paredes Martinez. He is survived by his sons, Eladio Martinez, Hector Esparza, Robert P. Martinez, Henry R. Martinez, Jr., Eladio Luis Martinez; daughters, Rosa Barrera, Connie Linarez, Henrietta Gonzales, and Martha Cisneros; half brother, Pete Martinez; half sister, Teresa Gracia; forty grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, one niece and a dear friend, Domingo Garcia.
He will always be cherished by his friends, family and community.
