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BORN
1934
DIED
2024
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Joe Martinez Obituary
March 14, 1934 - May 15, 2024
Joe O. Martinez, 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Wesley Woods Rehabilitation and Healthcare, surrounded by his children.
His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waco, Texas, with Father Benji officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation and Rosary will be held Monday, May 20, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m., in the Chapel at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.
Joe was born March 14, 1934, and raised in Waco, Texas, to Ysaias and Carlota Martinez. As a young boy, he held many jobs including as a shoe shiner, paper boy, and working in the cotton fields. When he reached the age to work for a local business, Pure Milk Company, he remained loyal and stayed at his job for 23 years. He then left to begin a new career at General Tire Company and was employed there for 12 years, until the business closed. Joe finally retired after 7 years at the WRS Group of Waco.
On June 26, 1954, Joe married the love of his life, Marina Gonzales, the two were together for 69 years, and brought six children into the world. He had a love for baseball and football and enjoyed watching games. He was also mentioned as a young boy of 10, in the local newspaper for winning the title of Marble Champion. Joe played football at the age of 15 for the Boys Club in 1949, he even played Semi-Pro baseball for the Waco Missions Club between the years of 1958 until 1970, as a pitcher and first baseman. Joe was a long-time member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church as an usher and he was a long time member of the Waco Missions Club, where he was an avid poker player. Family and friends will always remember Joe for his famous barbeque brisket and hamburgers.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ysaias and Carlota Martinez; a son, Frankie Martinez; three brothers; and four sisters.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Marina; his daughters, Janie Jasso, and Debbie Hurtado; his sons, Joe Jr. and wife, Mary, Fredrick and wife, Shannon, and David and wife, Melissa; Joe is also survived by his 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.
His pallbearers will be his grandsons: Ernie Garcia, Joe Martinez III, Eric Lee Jasso, Miguel Hurtado, David Martinez Jr., and Jeremy Martinez. Honorary pallbearers include Brian Garcia and Joshua Martinez.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Joe's memory.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to all of the nurses and nurses aides at Wesley Woods for their exceptional care for Joe.
We invite you to leave a message or memory of Joe on his "Tribute Wall" at www.WHBfamily.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joe Martinez
Sponsored by Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.
5 Entries
Claudia Proxter
May 23, 2024
Joe Mamma,
Met when he worked at TSTC. Could make me laugh like no one else could. He worked in the housing department. I worked in the business office. I would remind him they were tenants not troops. Great person. Can´t pass the VFW on Spring Valley without thinking about him.
Joe Mamma
Glad to have known you.
Rest in peace Marine.
Claudia Proxter, TSTC Business Office.
Pete Gonzales
May 19, 2024
It is with a sad heart that I hear of Joe´s passing. My condolences to his lovely wife Marina and family. The Martinez and Gonzales family were like one big family, or should I say extra big as the Gonzales´s were 14 boys and girls. I have so many memories of us growing up. Playing ball for the Waco Mission. Going to the Boys Club. I could go on but I´m sure if you knew Joe you all had some good stories. Goodbye my Dear Friend
Lorine Montgomery
May 18, 2024
I work with papa Joe at wrs group I'm going to miss he dearly so sorry for your loss sending prayers to the family
Paula
May 18, 2024
Papa Joe will truly be missed, my deepest condolences to the ones left behind.
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