Guadalupe S Martinez

On July 22, 2023 our beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Guadalupe "Lupe" Santiago Martinez (69), left this world to go to heaven and join God's Tejano band playing the guitar and singing his heart away.

Lupe was born in San Antonio Texas on July 25, 1953 to Ignacio and Ignasia Martinez. Lupe would be the first of nine children. As a child, Lupe moved to the Yakima Valley where he graduated from Wapato High School in 1973.

Lupe spent time as a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Wapato, car salesman and detailer for Lynch Motors and Sun Fair Auto, Walmart and later before retiring as the Supervisor for Maintenance for the City of Wapato. After retirement, Lupe volunteered at the City of Wapato Food Bank for several years.

Lupe was known for his musical talent as he started at the age of eight playing the drums with his father's band in Texas. Later in years, Lupe became a part of a band called Los Emocionantes playing Tejano music while playing the bajo, electric guitar and bass guitar. He would here and there even play a tune on the drums. Lupe also spent time playing at church masses at St. Peters Clever Church in Wapato.

Lupe was always full of life, always telling horrible and corny jokes to make everyone laugh. Lupe had jokes for days and was always just trying to keep people laughing. Lupe was known for telling it like it was. Lupe was a big fan of the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners. What Lupe cherished most was spending time with family, and large family events were always his favorite.

Lupe is survived by his wife Patricia Martinez-Wapato; Lupe's children Christopher Martinez (Shenowa)-Yakima, Stacy (Robert) Martinez-Yakima; Teresa Martinez (Jason)-Houston, TX; Aaron (Elizabeth)-Yakima; Stepchildren, Lloyd (Lisa) Benscoter-Yakima; Bruce (Melissa) Benscoter-Yakima; Stacy (Phillip) Miranda-Tulalip. Lupe is also survived by his mother and father Ignacio and Ignasia Martinez-Parker; brothers and sisters Ray (Anita) Martinez-Yakima; Robert Martinez-Union Gap; Rick (Dawn) Martinez-Union Gap; Mary (John) Jackson-Parker; Dora (Marvin) Plunk-Parker; Rachel (James) Lujan-Yakima; Dean (Jeri) Martinez-Yakima, Marcie (Hector) Rivera-Yakima. Lupe also has several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Lupe is preceded in death by his Uncle Mage Martinez-Everett, his Aunt Nora Reyna-Tacoma and his cousin Dee Dee Reyna-Tacoma.

A viewing for Lupe will be held at Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 W Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA on Friday, July 28, 2023, from 3 PM TO 5 PM. A reception will follow at Orchard Park Independent Living Community (Activity Room), 620 N 34th Ave, Yakima WA. 98902.