Jose J. Martinez
Jose J. Martinez, 87, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, November 25, 2009 at Sacred Medical Center in Spokane.
Holy Rosary will be recited at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with Father Felipe Pulido, celebrant. Viewing is scheduled for Monday, November 30th at the church from noon until the time of the Rosary. Interment will follow at Guarding Angels Cemetery, 2595 Road L. N.E., Moses Lake. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake. Please sign the book or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com.
Jose was born in Del Rio, Texas to Adolfo and Josefa Zuniga Martinez on May 12, 1922. In 1942, Jose was drafted to the U.S. Army and served in World War II. Jose was assigned as Sergeant to the 693rd Ordinance Battalion in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from Dec. 1944 to Mar. 1946 as an ammunition non commissioned officer in charge of the ammunition crew, including a stay at Okinawa, Japan before being honorably discharged. He married Petra Torres in February of 1943. They relocated to Toppenish, Washington and after 4 years of service he was able to come home and start their family. Jose and Petra were blessed with 8 children and in 1966 moved to Moses Lake and called it home. Jose owned and operated his own service station “Joe’s Time Station” on West Broadway from the late 60’s until the mid 70’s.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Petra; children Olga Hernandez, Moses Lake, Jose Jr. (Josie), Moses Lake, Gloria (Juan) Rodriguez, Moses Lake, Ric (Angela), Mt. Vernon, WA, Frank (Linda), Moses Lake, Hilda (Alejandro) Morales, El Paso, Texas, Elizur (Prajedes), Salem, Oregon and Domingo “Mingo” (Evelyn), Moses Lake; 36 grandchildren; 77 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Paula Sanchez, Toppenish, Washington; three brothers, Adolfo, Moses Lake, Joe, Yakima, Washington and Rudy, Royal City, Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, two grandchildren and one great grandson.
A special “Thank You” to the staff at Sacred Heart Medical Center for their caring and kind hearts in caring for our “welito”.
Sulema, Joey and Emilio - welito is in your hands now -take care of him. . .we love you and miss you all!!! Oh ya, make sure he gets the big piece of cake and lollipops.