Henry Louis Martinez Sr.

Henry Louis Martinez, Sr. passed away on Friday, February 16, 2007 after a short illness. Memorial Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Holy Cross Church, 5106 St. John Avenue. Inurnment will follow in Leavenworth National Cemetery. A farewell reception will be held at Holy Cross Church following the committal service. Friends may call from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday at McGilley Midtown Chapel, 20 West Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri.

Henry was born on July 15, 1925 in Beaumont, Texas. Known to most of his friends as Marty, he spent most of his life in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1942 he was a Kansas City Golden Glove Champion. At the young age of 17, he enlisted in the US Navy and served his country overseas in time of war as a second class Petty Officer. After 20 years of military service he went to work for the US Postal Service. He was recognized and honored by the US Post Master General for putting in 40 years of government service. After retirement, he started a small cleaning business and worked until he became ill. As a veteran, he belonged to and actively participated in the American Legion and the Naval Fleet Reserves throughout the rest of his days.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Gomez and Maria Martinez; step-mother, Guadalupe Martinez; sister, Lucy Valdepena; and brother, Frank Martinez, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Martinez; sons and their spouses, Mark Joseph (Polly), Joseph, Michael (Victoria), Henry (Leann), and Mark Louis (Melissa); daughters and their spouses, Victoria Williams, Virginia Vargas (Sam), Gloria Amador, Annette Martinez, Rita Locke, Alice Fidelman (Wayne), Michelle Muniz (Juan), and Tina Terrell (Rodney); brothers and their spouses, Eugene (Alice), Tony (Margaret), Manuel, John (Janie), Frank (Margaret), Raymond (Rosie), and Michael (Mary); sisters and their spouses, Eleanor Mata (Richard), Rosie Barton (David), Marie Aguirre (Joe), Alice Zuniga (George), and Vicky Collazo (Jesus); 30 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.