Lawrence Martinez

Lawrence Mercedes Martinez, 78, of Las Cruces, entered the gates of heaven on Sunday, June 28, 2015, at La Posada-Mesilla Valley Hospice surrounded by his loved ones. "Larry," as he was fondly known to family and friends, was born Aug. 10, 1936, in Kremmling, Colorado, to Epimenia Garduño Martinez and Pedro Martinez. He was proud to serve his country honorably in the United States Army, and was a lifetime member of VFW Post 6216 in Albuquerque.
Survivors include his loving wife of 29 years and his only caregiver, Paz Reyna Martinez, of the family home; one son, Larry Martinez Jr., and his only granddaughter, Femma Olvera Martinez. Other survivors include his close family, nephew, Eddie Reyna (Mercedes) and their children, Julian, Alexandria and Aliyah, niece, Yadira Reyna and Peter Martinez and their children, Edgar Hernandez, Adrianna and Yadnel Martinez; niece, Rebecca Diaz (Jose), their children, Keyshliann Trinidad, Leilani, Isaac and Julianna Diaz; his brother-in-law, the honorable Judge Jimmie Reyna (Dolores), their children, Justin (Ingrid) and Jimmie Reyna; sister-in-law, Lillian Chapman (Bill), their son, William Julian (Rebecca) and their children, Bella and Christian Chapman; niece, Yolanda Chapman and her son, Israel Xavier Chapman, brother-in-law, Julian Reyna (Iris); his three sisters, Teresa McCallen (Hugh) and their son, Tory McCallen, Patsy Wymore and her son, Joby, and Velma Alice Garcia and her daughter Lisa; and one brother, Floyd Quintana.
Family and friends will join together to remember and celebrate his new eternal life in Jesus Christ at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015, in Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road, with the Rev. Richard King, associate pastor officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the New Mexico Army National Guard Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that contributions be made to La Posada - Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005, or to Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, Doña Ana County.
Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces 527-2222. Your exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care". For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com.