Simon Martinez III, 84, from Abiquiu, New Mexico, passed away on January 9, 2026. 

He resided in Phoenix for 44 years prior to moving to Kentucky to be with Family. Simon was a proud Air Force Veteran of 21 years. He worked Civil Service for over 30 years at Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, Assembly # 1294 in Glendale, AZ. He will be missed by many. 

Simon was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn Martinez (Williams); father Simon Martinez Jr; mother Rafaelita Martinez; brothers Father Vidal Martinez, Juan Martinez and Rafael Martinez; sisters Juanita Gallegos and Marcella Gonzales; parents in Law John and Alice Williams; close cousin Vicente Archuleta, Jr.; sisters-in-law Sally Martinez; brothers-in-law Gonzalo Gonzales and Eloy Gallegos. 

Mr. Martinez is survived by his daughter Tana and husband Mike Collier of Kentucky; son John and wife Jyldyz of Hawaii; grandchildren Wyatt and Michael Collier, Shelby Kavanaugh (Brandon), Ariadna, Aidan and Eliana Martinez; brothers, Ben Martinez and wife Dolores Martinez of Texas, Mike Martinez of Farmington; sisters, Melinda Mondragon, Elizaida Martinez, Vicentita Rivera and husband Robert, and Agapita Martinez, all of Abiquiu, New Mexico. Close cousins, Gerald Archuleta of Abiquiu, Sara Archuleta of Santa Fe, Tita Maestas of Albuquerque, and Leroy Maestas and wife Frances of Abiquiu; the Oswaldo Martinez Family and Numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and other loving relatives and friends. 

Public visitation will begin on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 5:00pm in the Chapel of Peace of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory in Espanola, NM. A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm. 

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Abiquiu. Burial to follow at Abiquiu Cemetery;

The following are serving as Pallbearers: Wyatt and Michael Collier, John and Aidan Martinez, Benjie Martinez, Colorado Cordova, Sean Martinez, Richard Mondragon, Orlando Lopez, and Paul Rivera. Honorary Pallbearers are his grandchildren.

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