Martinez, Frederick W.

12/16/1934 - 02/24/2016



Frederick "Fred" Martinez passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 in Albuquerque, NM.

He was preceded in death by his father, Pablo Martinez (WWII U.S. Army Veteran); his mother, Lucy Garcia; and his sisters, Dolores Baca and Fina Martinez.

Fred is survived by his daughter, Donna Martinez-Baca and son-in-law, Greg Baca (U.S. Marine Corps Veteran); his son, Fred Martinez Jr. (U.S. Army Veteran); his four grandchildren, Elizabeth Gaska, Joshua Martinez, Andrew Martinez (U.S. Army Veteran), and Richard Martinez (Active Duty U.S. Army); three great grandchildren, Izabelle Rose Martinez, Alenna Savannah Martinez, and Gabriel Martinez; sisters, Pauline Chavez and Mary Gene Leyba; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Fred was born in Martineztown in 1934, graduated Albuquerque High School in 1953, and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 - 1958 and in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1962 - 1964. Fred always said that joining the military was one of the best decisions of his life. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home and pursued a career with the U.S. Postal Service where he retired after 38 years of service. He was also a lifetime member of the Solo Club. He loved dancing, good food, good music and he loved his family. He was a very giving and loving man. Family meant the world to him. Every niece, every nephew, every cousin knew, that at a moment's notice he would be there to help you and love you. He taught his family how important it is to be good to one another and to love each other no matter what.

A Viewing will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 7:00pm at Sandia Valley Church of the Nazarene located at 2315 Markham Rd SW (Isleta and Markham, just south of Ray Mac). The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 10:30am at Sandia Valley Church of the Nazarene. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Pallbearers include: Fred Martinez Jr., Joshua Martinez, Andrew Martinez, Jimmy Leyba Jr., Sammy Martinez Jr., and Lawrence Lopez. Honorary Pallbearers include: Beraldo (B.B.) Gabaldon, Joey Chavez, and Ray Baca.