Richard Landrey Martinez

Richie Martinez 37, passed away at Abrazo West Valley Hospital on Saturday March 25 surrounded by his family. Richie was born on August 20, 1979 in Blacksburg, VA, to Richard E. Martinez and Karen L. Mclean. Richie walked with his Osborne High School (Manassas, VA) graduating class in 1997 before moving to Arizona. He was a 2001 Graduate of Agua Fria High School and remained active by participating in the Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped (ARCH) and more recently the Choices Day Treatment Program. He was a long time Special Olympic athlete competing in a variety of different sports over the years and bowled regularly as well as being an avid fisherman. He particularly enjoyed Medieval Camping with his family. In addition Richie was an ardent Video Gamer. His positive outlook on life and infectious smile was an inspiration to anyone he met.

Richie is survived by his parents, Richard and Karen and his two brothers, Joseph E. Martinez and his wife Samantha of Maricopa City, AZ and Benjamin T. Martinez of Tempe, AZ and his fiancée Alyssa Witte of Manhattan, NY. He also had extensive family members in Virginia. Richie was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard and Ellen Martinez of Lynchburg, VA and Charles and Katherine McLean also from Lynchburg, VA. He was also preceded in death by two uncles Lanny McLean and Peter A. Martinez, both from Lynchburg, VA.

Richie was born with Down’s syndrome which meant he faced obstacles from the time of his birth to the time of his death. He met every obstacle with a determination that was an inspiration to many he met. Learning to read, being mainstreamed into regular classes and graduating from High School were all challenges he accepted and overcame. As a High School Senior at Agua Fria High School Richie was invited to dress out with the football team and sit on the bench with the team during a game. He was introduced to the crowd at halftime. Running into a former classmate of Richie we were told “you could be a gang member or president of the student body and everyone knew and liked Richie.” Well before Nike invented the phrase Richie told anyone contemplating an action, “Just Do It Then.” Frustrating but true anyone searching for a lost item and looking for Richie’s help would hear “Where did you put it last.” His unfiltered wit and wisdom will be forever missed.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, March 31st at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ.