2020/01/IMG_9036-1-300x256.jpgLucas Joe Martinez passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 1 surrounded by family at Mercy Medical Center in Durango, Colo. Lucas was born Sept. 13, 1949, in Trujillo, Colo., to Corina and Porfirio Martinez.
Lucas spent his early childhood years sheepherding in the meadows and dry land farming areas of his beloved Valle Seco and Archuleta County. He served in the Vietnam War in 1969 and 1970. Upon return from Vietnam, he moved to the towns of Silverthorne, Kremmling and Craig in northern Colorado, where he worked as a welder and master mechanic on various projects, including the Eisenhower Tunnel. Later, he moved to New Mexico, where he worked for the Navajo and San Juan coal mines. In his last years, Lucas was blessed with the ability to return to his beloved Pagosa Springs and Trujillo, where he would live out the remainder of his life camping, fishing, building “things” and doing what he loved most — spending time with friends and family.
Lucas was an active member of the community involved in helping the Knights of Columbus, the Guadalupanas, Veterans for Veterans, Healing American Heroes, the Catholic Church, Senior Citizens and countless other organizations. Lucas was kind, generous, grateful and considerate. He expected nothing in return. Lucas’ faith in God sustained him in the darkest hours of his life in Vietnam and the PTSD that would follow; through his quadruple heart by-pass surgery; and through the loss of his beloved friend, Father John Bowe. Lucas drove Father John’s truck with pride and then donated it to the church to be raffled in a fundraiser.
Lucas is preceded in death by his parents, Porfirio and Corina Martinez, and by his older sister, Lucille Lynch.
He is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Jeff); grandson Samuel; daughter Lori; granddaughter Lily; seven siblings: Mary (Leo); Sevedeo (Maryann); Rafelita; Leo (Jennie); Frank (Lorraine); Patricia (Gerald); and his baby sister, Annette (Leonard); countless nieces, nephews and cousins.
As a veteran and active member of the Catholic family in Pagosa Springs, a viewing and rosary was held in his honor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and funeral Mass at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Pagosa Springs, Colo. As a veteran, Lucas was interred at the Trujillo Cemetery with military honors.
A memorial email has been set up for friends and family to share stories about Lucas. You are encouraged to share your favorite stories and memories of Lucas via email to lucaslovedme@gmail.com.
