Joseph H. Martinez, lovingly known as Joe and Jody, passed away on March 13 surrounded by his family.
Joe was born Sept. 21, 1954, to Margaret S. (Margie Maez) and Samuel S. (Sam) Martinez in a little house on 8th Street in Pagosa Springs, Colo. A fifth-generation Pagosa native, Joe was raised in town on 8th Street and on his family’s ranch in Edith, Colo., along with his three sisters and two brothers.
Joe attended the first part of grade school at Saint Frances Catholic School in Lumberton, N.M., and finished school in Pagosa Springs. He played baseball and football and was on the first-ever high school wrestling team for the Pagosa schools. Joe graduated high school in 1974 and then attended Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo.
On May 28, 1977, Joe married the love of his life, Barbara Haning, of Pagosa Springs. Together they moved to Alamosa, where Joe continued college. While in Alamosa, Joe worked as a rancher and for the Tri-Me Potato Company. He coached basketball for Alamosa Valley Christian elementary school. Once the season was over, Joe started the first ever pee-wee wrestling program in Alamosa with the same kids he coached in basketball.
Joe and Barbara moved back to Pagosa in 1979. Joe worked several jobs during his lifetime in Pagosa, including but not limited to cleaning trails for the U.S. Forest Service, pulling chain and dry kilns for San Juan Lumber Company, and as a custodian for the Archuleta School District until 2007, when he retired.
In his lifetime, Joe coached junior high basketball for the Pagosa school district and helped start and coach the pee-wee wrestling program in Pagosa Springs. He volunteered for various community events and was a member of the Colorado Mounted Rangers.
Joe had a big heart and during his time as a custodian, he affected the lives of numerous youth, several of whom still call him “Dad” today.
After his retirement from Archuleta School District, Joe worked as a handyman and enjoyed time for fishing, hunting, ranching and camping before hiring on as a substitute teacher for the Dulce Independent Schools in Dulce, N.M. After a short time subbing, Joe accepted a full-time instructional aide position and moved into a 1:1 instructional aide position for an extraordinary student whom he loved to work with. Joe worked for Dulce Independent Schools for the last 10-plus years until his death.
Four years ago, Joe started and was currently coaching the first ever pee-wee wrestling program for youth in Dulce, N.M., with the support of his children.
Joe is survived by his wife of almost 41 years, Barbara Martinez, and his four children, Ryan (Laura) Martinez, Daniel Martinez, Joetta (Michael) Osborn, Michael (Kathleen) Martinez, and his honorary son, Ian Adams, all of Pagosa Springs. Joe is also survived by his grandchildren, Kaeley Walters and Kendra Martinez, of Bayfield, Colo.; Caitlin and Dustin Adams, of Pagosa Springs; Ethan, Chandler, Olivia and Hudson Mazur, of Pagosa Springs; Madison Waller, of Atoka, Okla.; Bryce Osborn, of Carthage, Texas; Stetson, Chase and Wyatt Osborn, of Pagosa Springs; and Sage Martinez, of Pagosa Springs; brother Steve (Cathy) Martinez, of Bloomfield, N.M.; sisters Mabel Barber, of Pagosa Springs, Gloria (Steve) Mohr of Maize, Kan., and Nina (Steve) Schwandt, of Apache, Okla.; extended family, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and great-granddaughter Memri Waller, of Atoka, Okla.
Joe was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Rick Martinez and nephew Samuel Martinez.
A rosary was held at Immaculate Heart of Parish on Friday, March 16. A eulogy and Mass service was held at Pope John Paul II on Saturday, March 17. Joe has been laid to rest at Hilltop Cemetery.
Joe will be greatly missed.
