Ruben Martinez

January 31, 1960 – August 12, 2021

Ruben R. Martinez, of Othello, Washington, went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 12, 2021.

Ruben was born on Jan. 31, 1960, in Edinburg, Texas to Bernardino and Epifania Martinez.

In 1966, Ruben’s family came to Othello, Washington, where he graduated high school and started a family of his own. Following graduation, he continued his education and wrestled at the collegiate level for Eastern Washington University before transferring and moving his family to attend the University of Montana.

After earning his college degree, Ruben followed his passion for helping others and he started his teaching/coaching career, first at the University of Montana as an assistant to Coach Scott Bliss, then as a head coach at Hellgate High School in Missoula, Montana.

In 1993, Ruben came back to Othello where he continued his teaching and coaching career, but now for his alma mater, Othello High School, where he was an individual state champion wrestler.

After a few years as an assistant to his mentor, Coach Wayne Schutte, he took over the program in 1996. He won multiple league, regional and state Coach of the Year awards and was inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2015. Ruben went on to coach at Royal City High School and was currently the head coach at Kiona Benton High School.

Family was everything to Ruben; he absolutely adored his mom and loved spending all of his spare time with his kids and grandkids. He loved barbecuing for his siblings, nieces and nephews, fishing when he had the chance and taking his family to Goose Lake to swim.

In Ruben’s life, he touched so many hearts and lives. He was a kind soul who had a contagious smile and a heart of gold.

Ruben is survived by his mother Epifania Martinez; his siblings Joe (Julie), Aurora (William), Elvia (Pat), Rudy (Charlene), and Minerva (Salomon); his children Ruben Jr., Davie (Anali) and Melinda (Marcus); and his grandkids Chyler, Alexis, Felicitie (Cienna), Davian, Gilbert Jr., Adan, Anabella, Anaiah, Maribelle, Alicia, Alena and Luca.

Ruben is preceded in death by his father Bernardino, brother: Ricardo and niece Michelle.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m., at the OHS football field, 340 S. Seventh Ave., Othello, Washington.

A reception gathering at P.J. Taggares Park, West June Street, Othello, Washington will follow the funeral services.

If you would like to donate online, please visit https://gofund.me/f8a093be.