Jose Macario Martinez

Jose Macario Martinez, 93 years young of Rociada, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at Granite Rehabilitation & Wellness Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming on December 26, 2025, holding hands with his daughter Pamela and niece Sandra as he began his journey to meet our Lord Jesus in Heaven. He was born on September 22, 1932 to Juan Rafael and Senorina Maria Martinez at the family home in Rociada, New Mexico. Jose. also known as "Joe" to many and "Uncle Joe" to most of his nieces and nephews, was a kind man who welcomed everyone into his life with open arms and unconditional love. He could keep a person listening to him in awe with the amazing wealth of stories of past history and memories of his younger years.

Jose received his elementary and intermediate schooling in Rociada, New Mexico. He moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1947 shortly before his 15th birthday. He graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1951. He had a strong work ethic at a very young age. His first job was delivering newspapers for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and he shared memorable stories of getting up at 4 a.m. to start his paper route; then going to school. He had saved enough money to buy a bike for $17.00 from Montgomery Ward to make his job a little easier. Jose was very proud to have served in the Wyoming Air National Guard with the 153rd USAF Infirmary Squadron and in the United States Air Force Reserve with the 43rd Staging Squadron as a medic during the Korean War and receiving an honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant which prompted many who knew him to affectionately address him as "Sarge". Upon returning from his military duty, he began his career with the Cheyenne Veterans Administration Hospital in the medical field and retired from the Albuquerque Veterans Administration Hospital as an Licensed Practical Nurse after thirty-one years of loyal service. After retirement he and his beloved wife, Catalina, moved to Rociada, NM where they enjoyed the beauty of the Northern New Mexico mountains and country living. Together they were very involved with their church, San Jose Mission in Rociada, NM, were members of Our Lady of Sorrows Church Catholic in Las Vegas, NM and were a part of the Cursillo Movement. They also attended St. Gertrude's Church in Mora. NM.

He is survived by his daughters: Pamela Martinez Trujillo (Palmer) and Belen Samora (Kent); his siblings: Teofilo "Ted" Martinez (Mary), Henrietta Martinez, and Emma Esquibel (Ted); his sister-in-law, Vangie Martinez;his brother-in-law, Gabriel Cardenas; his daughter-in-law, Christine Martinez; his grandchildren: Josh Martinez (Maria), Jaylin Martinez (Melissa), Isaiah Martinez, Christina Cooley (Brian), Salvo Trujillo (Lupita), Tiffany Flores (John), Roxanne Martinez (Nathan Sr.), and Amanda Sandoval (Lyle); 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way; nine great-great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Jose was preceded in death by his parents Juan and Senorina Martinez; his siblings: Luis, Petra, and Louis Martinez; his beloved wife of 63 years, Catalina; his three sons: Joe Mike Martinez, Tomas Martinez, and Juan Manuel Martinez, as well as Rosalina Samora Reza and Pedro "Pete" Samora Jr; brother-in-law, Moises Herrera, and a sister-in-law, Gloria Sandoval Martinez and many other extended family.

A visitation will be held in St. Francis Chapel at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Services will be held from Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Thursday, January 8, 2026 with a rosary at 9:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial. The interment will follow in the San Jose Cemetery in Upper Rociada, NM with the following serving as pallbearers: Josh Martinez, Jaylin Martinez, Isaiah Martinez, Nathan Martinez Sr., Nathan Martinez Jr., and Sevastian Bustamonte. Honorary pallbearers will be Louis Martinez Jr., and Anthony Martinez.