Matt Martinez

After a brief and unexpected illness, Matt Martinez passed away in Phoenix, Arizona on March 12th. Matt was born and grew up in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He was very active in the local Little League baseball program there, and at 13 was a member of the team that advanced from “sand lot” baseball to play in the annual World Championship game in San Francisco. He continued to play baseball successfully throughout high school and “lettered” in football as well as track. He was offered a full football scholarship as well as a baseball scholarship after graduating from high school in New Mexico. He accepted the baseball offer and attended the University of New Mexico where he completed a B.A. degree. After serving in the military during the Vietnam Era as a Sgt in the U.S. Army, he completed a MA Degree in Spanish Linguistics. Matt then spent the next 30 years in commercial real estate as a broker and developer for shopping centers as well as medical facilities. During this time he served as Vice President for Morton SW in San Antonio as well as CEO for Terraco Properties – a division of the Phoenix Memorial Hospital System in Phoenix, AZ. Matt spent his later years teaching Spanish in public and private schools as well as preparing translations (medical and legal) for his own business, Tecolote Translations. In retirement, Matt stayed very active helping his daughter with the care of her 4 young children.

Matt is survived by his wife Lynn Powell Martinez and daughter Claire Hall, her husband Ryan and their four children – Lane, Wyatt, Steven and Delphine, brother and sister-in-law Larry and Mary Powell, nephew Michael Powell, his aunt Gloria Alley all of San Antonio, cousin Wayne Alley of Los Angeles, and nephew Richard Aragon and wife Jackie and their children of Phoenix, AZ along brothers Leonard and Lupe Martinez and numerous nieces and nephews in New Mexico. Matt was a unique and dynamic individual who will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Private graveside services and burial for Matt will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Donations in his name may be made to St. David’s Episcopal Church, 1300 Wiltshire, San Antonio, TX 78209, 824-2481.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.