Ramiro P. "Shorty" Martinez

Ramiro P. “Shorty” Martinez gracefully passed to heaven surrounded by his loving family on December 18, 2013. He was born on June 29, 1932 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe A. and Clara Martinez; siblings E.O. “Tute” Martinez and Beatriz Cardenas. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mrs. Florinda “Flo” Martinez; siblings Mario Martinez, Guadalupe Martinez, Jr., Olga (Bill) Carbajal, Sara (Julian) Lopez; children Rosie (Roland) Hicks, Roland Martinez, Sr., Rene (Tammy) Martinez, and Roland Martinez, Jr; grandchildren Larry (Priscilla) Olivarez, Jr., Tracy (Jesse) Espinoza, Andy Cardoza, and Brandon Lee Martinez; Great Grandson Larry Olivarez, III and numerous nieces and nephews. Ramiro served honorably in the US Army as a paratrooper in the Korean War. After his service he was a machinist for Clayton’s Specialty. He was a pillar of the community on Corpus Christi’s Westside through extensive involvement with International Little League from 1964 to 1982 coaching and mentoring countless children over the years. He served as league president for 8 years, assistant district 23 administrator, lead umpire for 18 years and was recognized as one of the finest umpires in the state officiating several games in the Little League Southwest Regional Tournament in Waco, TX throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s; Ramiro also was honored in the Coastal Bend Youth Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 and the United Married Couples Club. Other organizations he served were the Moody Football & Baseball Booster Clubs and the Pan American Golf Association. He was an avid sports fan and although injuries from combat prevented him from playing baseball, he loved to coach the game. He was an outstanding poker player, pool player, and was known for his engaging personality, quick wit, and loving compassion he shared with all he met. The joy of his life was his wife and children and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2013 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2013. Interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.