Frank E. Martinez (Obituary)

Obituary of Francisco Esias “Frank” Martinez

October 4, 1920 – September 12, 2018

Our father and grandfather, Francisco Esias “Frank” Martinez, died on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His funeral will begin with a rosary at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Walsenburg, Colorado. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery North, immediately after Mass, followed by a reception at the Community Center.

Frank was a son of Colorado pioneer families and a descendant of both Native Americans and the earliest Europeans to settle the Southwestern United States in 1598. His parents, Juan Andres Martinez and Maria Martha Archuleta, were ranchers and merchants in Huerfano County. Their parents and grandparents lived in New Mexico and Southern Colorado when the territory was first an outpost of Spain, then Mexico and, finally, the United States.

Born on October 4, 1920 in Del Carbon, Colorado, Frank was the second eldest of eight children, two of whom died as babies. Juan Silvano (Gertrude) Martinez, Helen Mary (Garfield) Hurtado Martinez, and Antonio Gilberto “Tony” (Ernestine) Martinez; as well as brothers-in-law, Moses Cordova and Frank Velarde, also preceded him in death. His sisters, Della Marie Martinez Velarde (Huerfano County, Colorado) and Rachel Linda Martinez Cordova (Tustin, California), mourn their brother’s death, as do his numerous nieces and nephews.

Raised to be a rancher, Frank learned to break in wild horses, toil in the fields, and help run the extensive Martinez ranches in Huerfano County, Colorado. There are none who work harder and possess such a broad range of skills as do ranchers. As a child, he attended a nearby, one-room country school and, later, a larger school at Turner Mining Camp. His sisters, Rachel and Della, remember him as a good big brother, who always took care of his younger siblings. In addition to being a rancher, Frank worked in the Turner Mine. 

Frank married Maria Stella Romero in Raton, New Mexico, on July 5, 1940. As newlyweds, Frank and Stella lived in an adobe home on the family ranch on the Huerfano prairie. For a time, they shared the house with his brother, Silvan, and sister-in-law, Gertrude, but later moved to an apartment above his parents’ grocery store on Main Street in Walsenburg.

Frank and Stella then moved to Pueblo, where he first worked at the Pueblo Ordnance Depot. Later, he was a construction worker for Sproul Homes in Colorado Springs and worked in the concrete business with his nephew, Abraham Martinez. Frank and Stella raised their family—Viola, Robert, Frankie, and Louis—in Pueblo, first on 10th Street on the east side near Spann Elementary School, and then on the south side on Abriendo Avenue in a lovely two-story wooden house. They were faithful to their Catholic Church, but taught their children not to judge others’ religions, that God is God. They said the rosary, every night. Frank taught his children right from wrong behavior and that there were consequences for both. He provided an example of a good work ethic. His son, Robert, says that though his father was strict, he always felt secure and loved, a sense of being part of an intact family. As little as the family had in material possessions, Frank always was willing to help and give of his time, always glad to see his loved ones. He learned generosity from his mother, Martha.

After their daughter Viola’s family moved to California, Frank and Stella followed them in 1968. Frank worked at both Fort Irwin and the Marine Corps Supply Depot in Barstow, California. He built tanks, jeeps, and M55 Howitzers during the Viet Nam War. He retired on November 25, 1974. Active in their Catholic Church parish, Frank was one of the founders of the Cursillo movement in Barstow during the 1970s. Returning from a family trip to Colorado, Stella had a stroke in Needles, California, but lived for many more years. Frank proved his worth as a husband and compassionate human being by his daily kind deeds, helping his wife. He was patient and loving. When talking on the phone with his brother and sisters, their voices were tender and warm.

In 1975, Frank and Stella moved back to Walsenburg, where Frank helped his father, as well as his wife. Creative and resourceful, Frank could fix almost anything with duct tape, screwdriver, hammer, baling wire—and more duct tape.  Frank had many friends in Walsenburg, and he also welcomed extended family, when they came to visit from out of town. His nephew, Matthew, fondly remembers the many times his Uncle Frank invited him to play poker at Grandpa’s house, poker games that might last as long as eight hours. Grandchildren often were greeted with, Let’s go to Tes’ and get ice cream cones, and then later treated with the newest goodies, whether cookies, snack-pack puddings, or Ding Dongs. Adult relatives were welcomed with a lunch at Furr’s Fresh Buffet.

Stella died on September 3, 1983. A further tragedy was the later death of their beloved son, Frankie, on January 24, 2002. Years after Stella and Frankie died, Frank moved to Albuquerque to be near his son, Robert, and Robert’s children. Louis and Viola’s family regularly drove from Pueblo to New Mexico to visit their father and grandfather. However, due to proximity, Bob’s family had the opportunity and privilege of spending more time with him, during Frank’s last years, when they closely coordinated his care. The blessing that is The Garland Home in Albuquerque is where Francisco Esias Martinez died in his bed surrounded by love. The family is grateful for Naomi Jojola and all of Frank’s other caregivers.

Throughout Frank’s many moves, he carried with him a treasure—a picture his grandson, Gabriel, drew of two peach-colored birds sitting on a tree branch.

Frank Martinez would finish this story of his life, as he often ended all conversations with loved ones,

I love you. Always.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

The children of Frank Martinez are Viola Martha (Donald) Romero; Robert Aaron Victor (Peggy) Martinez; Frank Nathaniel “Frankie” Martinez, Jr. (deceased); Louis Michael (Margy Frantz) Martinez; and a baby who died at birth. All were born in Colorado.

Frank’s grandchildren are numerous: ♥ Viola’s children: Donna (Everett King) Romero, Fran (Mike) Barbera, Robert “Bo” (Pam) Romero, and Selena (Glen) Jacobsen; ♥ Robert’s children: John (Becky) Martinez, Victoria “Vickie” Martinez, Robert Aaron (Steffani) Martinez, Joseph (Kelly) Martinez, Ruth Martinez (deceased), Jordan Martinez (deceased), and Meghan Martinez; ♥ Frank Jr.’s children: Gabriel (Janet) Martinez, Wayne (Jessi) Martinez, Frances (Matthew) Walmer, Lynn Medina, and Odel Medina; ♥ and Louis’s children: Timothy (Rosalie) Martinez and Louis (Lindy) Martinez, Jr.

Frank‘s great-grandchildren are: ♥ Fran’s children: Mallory (Zach) Fagerstedt, Lauren (Aaron) Krakow, and Olivia Navarro; ♥ Bo’s children: Cameron (Rachel) Romero, Audrey Shipley, Trevor Romero, and Victoria “Tory” Romero; ♥ Selena’s daughters: Abby and Lucy Jacobsen; ♥ Victoria “Vickie’s” daughter: Madison Martinez; ♥ Robert Aaron’s daughter: Layla Martinez; ♥ Joseph’s daughter: Ana Martinez; ♥ Meghan’s sons: Esias and Ezekial Martinez; ♥ Lynn’s son: Alexander (Danielle) Medina; ♥ Odel’s children: Adriel, Nick, and Alexandra; ♥ Gabriel’s son: Warren Martinez; ♥ Wayne’s daughter: Kayleigh Martinez; ♥ Frances’ sons: Jesus Sena (deceased), Stephen Marquez, and Julian Marquez; ♥ Timothy’s children:  Marissa, Cole, and Bobby Martinez; ♥ and Louis, Jr.’s son: Reid Martinez.

Frank was blessed to live to have great-great grandchildren: ♥ Mallory’s daughter, Isabella Fagerstedt; ♥ Lauren’s children: Aria and Christian Krakow; ♥ Cameron’s daughter: Reagan; ♥ Alexander’s son: Mason Medina; ♥ and Warren’s children: Emrick and Evelyn Martinez.  

Obituary written by Frank’s niece, Karen Cordova, with extensive help from the families of Viola Romero (especially Viola, Donna, and Fran Barbera), Robert Martinez, Lori Martinez (former spouse of Frankie Martinez), and Louis Martinez.