Francisco “Pancho” Martinez Cano of Taylor, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, 26 April 2023, at the age of 61. He was born on the 19th of November of 1961 in Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico where He grew up living a simple but happy country life.
He was preceded in death by his father Felix Martinez Aguilar, his mother Maria del Consuelo Cano de Martinez, his sister Maria del Carmen Martinez Cano and his first wife Maria Elena Lara De Martinez.
He is survived by his Grandchildren to whom he loved dearly and was known to as “Coco”: Javier, Salvador, Adriana, and Dominic. His Sons Francisco Martinez and George Marlin. His Wife of 28 years Laura Martinez and his Daughters-in-law Jennifer Martinez and Lacey Farrell.
Pancho stepped up at an early age to help provide for his aging parents having to leave school for work. He was a man who could do it all. Whether it was plumbing, electric, masonry, carpentry, no trade was unattainable for him. Dad was a man of faith and active member of the church playing in the choir church group. Dad never met a stranger and was always willing to help anyone if he were able to, he would to the best of his ability to always go above and beyond. Those skills, knowledge, compassion, and selflessness are all things He passed on to his sons who are like him in many ways.
Dad’s first love was music and was a self-taught musician. As an early teen, he played his guitar while lying on his bed playing songs or practicing until he fell asleep. Later, he played professionally with “Los Cadetes de Linares.” He went on tours all over Mexico and the United States for several years. He left the group to be at home to raise his sons. He loved being a father and later a grandfather. Although he left that group, he never stayed away from playing on stage. He always found a local group to play wherever he was living at the time. He always gravitated to music, whether it was just for fun or as a side job. That profound love that he had for music, he passed to his sons and grandkids. We always have music playing at home! Thanks to his passion, the grandkids have their accordions, drum set, keyboards and many guitars all of which will one-day treasure and learn to play.
We would like to thank all our family, extended family, and friends for the care and compassion they showed our loved one on his final days.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of life for Pancho on Sunday, May 21, 2023, from 2:00p.m. to 3: 30p.m at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750.
