Jose Policorpo Guminsindo (Jerry) Martinez died peacefully on Aug. 20. Our “Popo” fought a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Jose was the fifth of seven children born to Juan and Pablita Martinez on Oct. 16, 1933, in Pagosa Springs, Colo. He graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 1953. A military veteran, Jose enlisted in the Army that same year and in the span of a 20-year career he served in, among other places, Europe, Africa, Korea and Vietnam. He retired at his last assignment, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
In retirement, Jose loved to work with wood in building and refurbishing furniture and working around his “farm.” He enjoyed traveling with Rudy on cruises to discover new adventures. Most memorable are trips to Alaska, the Panama Canal and the River Rheine.
He is preceded in death by daughter, Mary Ann McInroy, and siblings Lawrence (Joe), Rosalie, Donelia, Oralia (Margaret) and Clara.
Jose is survived by brother Raymond (Karen), loving wife Rudell Martinez and children Judy (Frank) Winborn, John (Mo) Martinez and Joe (Wendy) Martinez.
Popo had eight grandchildren: Alicia (Matt) Armando, Frank III (Danielle) Winborn, Natalie (Victor) Martinez, Jonathan (Hannah) Martinez, Javier (Anne) Martinez, Christine, Marcus and Joey Martinez.
He was blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Jerrick and Kieron Armando, James and Miles Weisenhunt, Declan Martinez, and Phoebe and Frank IV Winborn.
Recitation of the rosary will be held at 10 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., on Sept. 10 at Saint Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Sierra Vista, 800 Taylor Street, Ariz.
Burial with military honors will be held at noon at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail in Sierra Vista, Ariz.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Fisher House of Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, Ariz.
