Roberto Martinez

Born on February 24, 1934 to Isabel and Salvador Martinez in El Paso, Texas.

He was one of seven children raised by a single mother after his father died when they were all very young.

Roberto attended and became a proud graduate of Jefferson High School Silver Foxes. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and served for 3 years. During his service, he was sent to bases in Hawaii, Japan, and was also shipped out to Korea, making him a Korean War Veteran.

He returned to El Paso at the end of his service and met his true love, Magdalena. They celebrated their loving union in a Catholic Church in June 1970.

He began his successful career as a machinist at Phelps Dodge Refinery, and his family started to grow shortly after. They welcomed his son, Roberto and a few years later, their daughter, Rita arrived.

Roberto’s world was traumatically changed when he lost his wife in a horrific car accident in 1988, leaving him with 2 kids to raise. He was a phenomenal single dad, he was strong and encouraging, and wasn’t afraid of making mistakes, he would simply laugh about them.

He retired from working in 1993 and was able to focus on what was most important to him, family and friends. He was the person always giving a helping hand, giving a ride, or stopping by for a visit. He treated all of his nieces and nephews like his own children, and he was Godfather to so many and that was incredibly important to him.

He maintained relationships with everyone regardless of circumstance because friendship, relationship was so important to him.

Roberto was a man of few words, but when he spoke, it was often either sarcastic or humorous.

He is survived by his son, Roberto I. Martinez, Pasco, WA, (wife, Kimberly) and daughter, Rita I. Martinez, Dallas, TX. Grandchildren, Magdalena Martinez, San Antonio, TX, Gavin Martinez, San Antonio, TX, and Damien Martinez, San Antonio, TX. Goddaughters, Isabel Gallick, Tucson, AZ, and Yvette Avila-Torres, El Paso, TX. Grand dogs, Billy and Bruno Martinez, Dallas, TX.

Predeceased by wife, Magdalena Martinez, November 17, 1988, sister, Eva Martinez, brother, Sabas Martinez, sister, Margarita Martinez, sister, Esperanza Hernandez, sister, Alicia Sapien, sister, Consuelo Martinez, nephew, Salvador Avila, niece, Felisa Avila, grand dogs, Mojo, Moby, Winnie, Blue, and Joey.

A visitation will be held on Monday May 1, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 N. Carolina. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 9:30 am at Santo Nino De Atocha Catholic Church, 210 S. Clark followed by the interment at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

At ease soldier, Hoorah!