Johnnie Garza Martinez, 81 of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away peacefully April 1, 2018 on Easter morning. Johnnie was born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1936 to Juan Martinez and Cecilia Garza Vasquez.
On August 17, 1962 he married his high school sweetheart Rosa Sanchez. They were married for 56 years. They enjoyed their trips to Las Vegas but, I think my mother did more so than dad because he always was very tightfisted with his money. He loved his wife Rosa very much and assured that she would be taken care of if he ever had to leave her side.
Johnnie graduated from Miller High School in 1954. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1954 to 1962 as an infantryman with the 1st Recon Battalion USMCR and the 24th Rifle Co. USMCR Corpus Christi, Texas. Dad worked for the Sherwin Alumina Company and retired after 34 years of loyal and dedicated service. He was always a strong supporter of labor unions and was a member of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) for many years following his retirement.
Dad was an avid golfer and played until his health no longer allowed him the joy he had of walking “the links.” He had two Hole-in-Ones certified by Golf Digest Magazine during his years of playing the sport he deeply loved.
He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) for many years. He loved to see faith and spirituality movies and was deeply fond of movies that portrayed the story of John the Baptist.
He was well known for working every shift possible to provide his family with the quality of life that had been denied to him as a young child. Dad always stressed the importance of a college education to his sons and was extremely proud that he fathered a pharmacist and an educator.
I will always be thankful to dad for introducing my brothers and me to the movies of The Three Stooges, James Bond and Godzilla. Dad was well known for his over the top sense of humor and the quiet toughness that he possessed. Many friends and family members did not know he had an interest in history and I thank my father for this because it sparked my passion to study history, especially Mexican American History. I know that my father is still with me and always will be because he played a significant role in who I am today.
He is preceded in death by his sons Michael Anthony and John Christopher Martinez.
He is survived by his wife, Rosa S. Martinez, his son and daughter-in-law of Corpus Christi, Texas, John Marcus and Linda Martinez; grandchildren John Matthew Martinez, Slyest and Jon Colt Martinez and John Christopher Martinez. Siblings Connie Martinez, Alice Riviera, Gloria Valdez, Danny Vasquez, Rudy Vasquez, Roland Vasquez and numerous nephews and nieces.
Family will receive friends at Memory Gardens Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. and a Memorial Service to follow. Services will conclude in the chapel.
