Peter Martinez

Peter (Pete) Martinez passed away peacefully on September 26, 2015 in Mesa, AZ after a courageous battle with cancer. Pete was born November 8, 1932 in El Paso, TX to Pedro and Theodora Martinez. Pete attended Jefferson High School in El Paso, TX where he was a star athlete and student body president. He continued his education later in life at Mesa Community College and then graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree. He took classes towards a Master’s degree at Arizona State University. Pete enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and proudly served his country for 26 years. He then worked in sales, industrial relations and in federal civil service. After retirement from civil service in Colorado, he returned to Arizona where he stayed busier than ever by contributing his time to the community through his participation in numerous fund raising events/community projects that provided food to the needy, assistance to senior citizens and the physically challenged; junior golfers and hospitalized/homeless veterans. Especially important to Pete was the Korean War Veterans organization. He helped start chapters in the Valley and served as a former Arizona State Comander and Vice Commander. His church, Resurrection Catholic Church in Tempe, AZ was also very special to him. He served there as a lector, hospitality minister and was a fourth degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Besides volunteer activities, throughout his life Pete enjoyed golf, fishing, jewelry making and cheering on his Arizona College and professional sports teams. Pete’s family was everything to him. He is preceded in death by four daughters, twins Irma Jean and Irene, Donna Mumford and Denise Martinez, and also other family members including his mother and father Pete and Lola and one sister Lela, and many other close friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Alicia, by sons Pete Jr., Mike (Kathy), Charles (Susan) and daughter Debby, and by 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren whom will all miss him dearly. He is also survived by three brothers: Jay, Mando and Bob Martinez, one sister, Lina M. Martinez, nephews, nieces, God Children and many, many friends. Visitation will be held Oct 6, 2015 from 5-8pm with a Rosary at 7pm at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202. Funeral services will be held Oct 7, 2015 at 10am at Resurrection Catholic Church, 3201 S. Evergreen, Tempe, AZ 85282. Burial services will be held at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85260 following the funeral service. A reception will be held at 1pm at Resurrection Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to AZ Junior Golf, AZ Special Olympics or the AZ Korean War Veterans. Serving as pallbearers will be Pete Martinez Jr., Mike Martinez, Charles Martinez, Jay Martinez, Mando Martinez, Travis Mumford, Matthew Mumford and Ray Martinez. Honorary pallbearers are Lina M. Martinez and Bob Martinez. Condolence messages may be added to his page at www.LakeshoreMort.com.