Jose (Pipo) Martinez

Jose was born in Flowella, Texas (Falfurrias, TX) to Jose Angel and Zenobia (Jesusa) Narvaez Martinez and later moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where he joined the Marine Corps and served 4 years. He retired from H.E.Butt Grocery Co. as a truck driver after 40 years where he was awarded the Truck Drivers Million Mile Safety Drivers Award. He was also inducted into the Drivers Hall of Fame and was a chauffeur for the Butt Family.

He also worked for Alamo Mail Service for 4 years.

Joe had a grand passion for truck driving, playing the accordion and being with family and friends.

He met Esmeralda Flores Martinez in Alice, Texas. They were married on November 22, 1959, they have four children.

He was a member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church. Jose was preceded in death by his parents Jose Angel and Zenobia Jesusa N. Martinez; son, Joe Michael Martinez; brother, Emilio N. Martinez and sister Flor Marina Martinez Moreno.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Esmeralda Flores Martinez of Corpus Christi, Texas; two daughters, Yvonne Martinez, Corpus Christi, Texas, Carol Ann (Samuel) Manriquez, of Round Rock, Texas, one son Eric (Melissa) Martinez, of San Antonio, Texas; 5 grandchildren, Samuel M. (Dawn) Manriquez, Christopher Michael Martinez, Erica M. Saenz, Joalison M. Martinez and Kaitlin K. Martinez; niece Gloria (Juan) Vela of Alice, Texas and many other nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank all the nursing staff on floors 3B especially Gloria E. Zapata, R.N. and Lisa Castillo, R.N.in 4E, especially Mary Vall R.N. in 5E and while he was in the ICU at the Pavilion Spohn Shoreline Hospital. We would also like to thank the Dr. Michael L. Fuentes, Dr. Victor Ortiz, Dr. Jack Cortese, Dr. Emile Salloum, Dr. Cesar Muñoz, and Dr. Susan Tower. We cannot forget all the therapists on 3B and the wound care nurses, CNA’s Paul Montes, Michelle, Crystal, Luis and Vernell. Words cannot say how much we appreciate all the help and care that was given to our dad while in the hospital.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2013 at Funeraria Del Angel-Memorial Holly chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial park.