MACARIO MELQUIDES "MARTY" MARTINEZ

Pasco, Wash.


Prosser Funeral Home & Crematory


Macario 'Marty' Melquides Martinez, age 81 of Pasco, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 30, 2011, at Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice in Kennewick. He was born on October 31, 1929, to Jose Eulogio and Marilla Presciliana (Trujillo) Martinez in Fort Garland, Colorado, where he was raised and educated. After graduating in 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea, finishing his four years of service at the Hanford Area in Richland as a firefighter. After his discharge, he continued to serve as a firefighter in the Hanford Area until the mid-60's when he went to work for the Washington State Unemployment Department in Pasco. In 1972, the family moved to Olympia where Marty served as coordinator and adviser of the Migrant Task Force under Governors Dan Evans and Dixie Lee Ray. He then moved to Portland, Oregon, and worked for the Paisino Club. It was there that he met his future wife, Carole Gillen-Vinsonhaler. They were married at the club on June 4, 1998.


Marty enjoyed fishing and hunting and made an attempt at playing golf. He also was interested in politics and enjoyed watching the news on TV. Most of all, he loved spending time with his wife and family. He was a member of the Pasco American Legion #34 and attended the World Life Christian Church in Pasco.


Marty is survived by his wife, Carole, of Pasco; his children, Ric Martinez and wife, Shelli of Seattle; Marty Martinez Jr. and wife, Kristen, and Monica Rodriguez and husband, Hector, all of Kennewick; four step-children; and brothers, Floyd Fontanero of Laughlin, Nevada; and Aguinalbo 'Aggie' Martinez of Kansas City, Kansas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Daniel, Jessica, Veronica, Erica, Matthew, Madison, Lucas, Joseph, Hayden, Lilliana and Samantha; his great-granddaughter, Merissa, and one great-granddaughter on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and five brothers.


A celebration of Marty's life with Full Military Honors will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2011, at the World Life Christian Center, 5250 Outlet Drive, Pasco, WA. Inurnment will be held at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Memorials may be made to the Fairview Foundation, 844 N.E. 78th, Seattle, WA 98115. Prosser Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.