Marty Michael Martinez

He attended Merced High School and was on the track team. He graduated in 1968. After graduation, he attended DeVry Institute of Technology in Phoenix, AZ studying Electronics Engineering. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1971, where he completed a course of study in Electricity/Electronics. After completing his training, he was assigned to the USS Savannah as a Fireman Apprentice-Electrician. During his time in the Navy he received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he returned to Merced where he began volunteering as a Little League coach. In 1980, he met the love of his life Patricia (Patty) and her daughter Freedom Moore. This led to a brief hiatus as a coach as his newly found relationship blossomed into what would eventually become a fruitful and lifelong marriage. In 1985, Marty and Patty married; together, they raised Freedom and had two sons Anthony and Addison (Duckie) Martinez. As his sons and daughter grew older, Marty rediscovered his passion for coaching youth sports. He volunteered as a coach and board member for Merced Girls Softball, Merced Youth Baseball, Merced Youth Football, and Merced Boys Basketball. He umpired Men and Women’s Softball for many years as well.

At the height of his career, he simultaneously worked for three different employers: The Housing Authority of Merced County, Toys R Us, and the Softball Association. In September of 2015, after 26 years of service, he retired from the Housing Authority as a Maintenance Worker.

In between raising a family, coaching youth sports and working multiple jobs, Marty found joy in the many recreational bowling, softball, and volleyball leagues he participated in. Over the years, he was also a member of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union, Knights of Columbus, and Moose Lodge.

Marty enjoyed board games, crossword puzzles and sports; other favorite pastimes of his included going to the movies, listening to music, dancing, spending time with his family and friends, picking up coffee for his wife, and rubbing her feet daily (even at the theater).

Some of the things he hated included washing the car, cleaning the garage, and yard work. Some of the things his wife would always ask him to do included washing the car, cleaning the garage and yard work.

Marty was preceded in death by his father, Richard (Mike) and his mother, Mary. He is survived by his wife, Patty; his three children, Freedom, Anthony, and Addison (Duckie); daughter-in-law, Kelly; four grandchildren, Brooklyn, Jasmine, Elias, and Gabriel; his twin sisters Marilyn Habay (wife Karen) and Marlene Crabb (husband John); compadres, Greg and Julie Hassen; and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A Visitation will be held at Stratford Evans at 1490 B Street, Merced, CA on Thursday, 9/23/2021 from 3:00-4:45 P.M. A Rosary will occur at St. Patrick’s Church at 671 E. Yosemite Ave. Merced, CA on Thursday, 9/23/2021 at 5:00 P.M. A catholic mass will occur at St. Patrick’s Church in Merced on Friday, 9/24/2021 at 10:00 A.M. An interment will follow immediately after mass at Merced District Cemetery 1300 B Street Merced, CA.

Marty Martinez

May 22, 1950 - September 5, 2021