Gilbert Martinez, 97, joined his wife, Zulema, in Heaven on Thursday, March 12, 2015. He was surrounded by his family at The Heritage in Tomball, Texas. He served in the CCC camps from October 1934 to October 1936 at various positions including Medical Assistant. He enlisted in the Army and served his country in World War II from September 1940 to September 1945 as a Staff Sargent and then re-enlisted into the Army Air Force from April 1946 to February 1947 as a Mechanic. He retired from Gulf Oil after 33 years of service as an Operator.
Gilbert was born on January 30, 1918, to Nick and Ninfa Garza Martinez. He married Zulema Arredondo Martinez on October 18, 1942, in Port Arthur, Texas. They raised eight children together and were happily married for 70 years. A long-time resident of Fannett, Texas, Gilbert was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and was active in the Knights of Columbus.
Gilbert was preceded in death by: his wife Zulema A. Martinez; parents; sons, Roland Martinez, Robert Martinez; daughter, Belinda Rose Martinez; granddaughter, Krista Sifferd; sisters, Julia Arredondo, Gregoria Palacios, Carmen Estrada; and brothers Paul Martinez, Felix Martinez, Edward Martinez, Nick Martinez (Baby), Nick Martinez Jr..
Gilbert is survived by his children: Gracie (Joe) Garcia, Nick (Becky) Martinez, Joel (Melissa) Martinez, Belinda (Chuck) Sifferd, Leticia (Martin) Vela; daughter-in-law, Sherry Martinez; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Delfina Matthews, Rachel Johnson; and sister-in-laws, Lupe Martinez, Julia Martinez, Janie Martinez.
The family welcomes friends and relatives to a visitation to be held at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home, 4841 39th Street, Port Arthur, Texas, from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2015 with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life. Final viewing will be held Friday, March 20, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 9894 Gilbert Road, Fannett, Texas at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 20, 2015. Rite of Committal will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves, Texas.
Pallbearers: Robert Martinez, Brian Martinez, Andy Garcia, Lane Martinez, Sam Vela, and Eric Mendez.
Honorary Pallbearers: Gus Arredondo, David Medina, Gus Mendez, Henry Mueller, Zenon Quintela, Uvaldo Quintela, Damaso Sosa
In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Contributions to be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, the Father Fernandez Scholarship Fund or St. Mary's Catholic Church Flower Fund.
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