Richard Martinez

Richard Martinez, born in Chimayo to Mauricio & Andrellita Martinez on April 15, 1943, succumbed to his battle with severe COPD on July 12, 2023.

He was a 1961 graduate of Espanola high school.

In his early years, Richard worked @ Mesa & Center Market achieving a greater goal he became employed by Zia Co in Los Alamos. Richard later moved to California & worked manufacturing napalm bombs. He then moved to Seattle, WA and worked for Boeing aircraft returning to California to his prior position only to be drafted into the service soon after in 1967. Richard was sent to basic training at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX, completing engineering training at Ft. Belvoir in Virginia. He received Award of Good Conduct Medal for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity. Richard served in the U.S Army, moving up in rank quickly to E-5 as an engineer. He spent 15 months in Vietnam in the battlefield returning to the states on 6/11/69. After his discharge from the Army, he returned and was employed at LANL for a total of 28 years before retiring in 1993.

Richard married Lillian on April 26, 1997. He loved casinos and simply chilling after many years of employment. They both enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe and especially Laughlin, NV. They made their home in Chimayo until 2018 when they moved to San Pedro.

Richard belonged to the American legion post in Chimayo and took pride in participating in funerals of fellow comrades and Veterans Day functions. His daughter Yvonne often joined him, giving her support and beaming with pride. She so loved watching him participating and was so proud of him.

He is preceeded in death by parents, Mauricio and Andrellita Martinez, son, Richard Jr. Siblings: Juan E (Ruby), Mauricio, Ernesto Martinez, Marianita &Floyd Jaramillo, whom were like his parents, Ninfa, Luguarda (Orlando) Montoya, brother-in-law in law, Rudy Martinez, nephews, David Jaramillo, considered his brother, Daniel, Abel, Nolan, Tony, Billy & Matthew Martinez. Nieces, Andranette & Valerie. Father & mother-in-law Teofilo & Ruperta Lopez.

Surviving him is his wife Lillian, daughters, Yvonne, Andrellita (Leroy), son Jeremy (Tammy), Carolyn (Mike), Christine Bobbie (Ronald), Grandchildren, Antonio, Alicia, Jonathan, Angel, Alaigha, Jayden, Destiny, Maria, Jeremy Jr., Maiden, Scott, Keith, Daniel, Joe, Alina, Ana, Kathryn, Elias, Kayla, Krysta, Kyra & Kylie. Great grandson Damian Jeremy Trujillo. God children, Geri, Destiny & Leroy. Brother, Nestor (Delia) Martinez, Sister Catalina Martinez, sister-in-law law Eliza Martinez. Nephews & nieces, Rosemary/Sharon, both like sisters, Eva, Dora, Denise, Ernesto, Ralph, Dennis, Pula, Lora, Lucille, Roger, Carla, Geri, Andy, Morris, Kelly, & Michael. Richard is also survived by many great nephews, nieces, cousins as well as good friends who he cherished & called from time to time till he could.

Lillian would like to thank Ambercare staff for all there help & support, Trish, Christina & Nancy who gave him communion & left him in such a comfortably peaceful state. Not to forget his Samantha from "Giving" & "Haide" from "Roots". Thank u all staff involved from Giving & Roots for all you did for us both.

A Rosary will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel and a Mass on Friday, July 21, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Family Parish in Chimayo, NM. Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 12:30 p.m.

Pallbearers are as follows: Val Armijo, Juan Martinez, Ernesto, Jeremy Jr, and Jonathan Martinez. Antonio Gonzalez, Roger Martinez and Mike Luna. Honorary pallbearers are Sonny Cordova, Ken Hoerster Alicia Gonzales and Destiny Martinez. Along with all his grandchildren.

The family of Richard Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477