Mr. Simon Martinez

In 1943, dad was drafted into the United States Army. After training in England, his battalion participated in the landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day. Later, his battalion was involved in other major battles in the European Theatre. He was honorably discharged in 1945. On May 17 of that year, he married the love of his life, Petra Palacioz. Together, they had six children, five girls and one boy. They moved to California from Kansas in 1949. Because dad worked for Santa Fe laying track, he moved his family throughout the San Joaquin Valley until 1956, when he was hired as a Timekeeper at the Santa Fe Depot in Fresno. Dad retired from Santa Fe in 1985 after 43 years of service. For the next 20 years dad worked for an interpreting service. When mom had her second knee surgery, he decided to stop working to stay home and take care of her.

Dad loved playing the guitar and singing with family and friends. He and mom were known for their big gatherings at their house. Dad liked to collect coins and books, especially biographies. Dad was actively involved at Mt. Carmel Church, serving as Eucharist Minister, reader, and sometimes altar boy. He was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus at Mt. Carmel and served as Grand Knight.

We would like to thank the staff from St. Agnes Hospice for their love and compassion while taking care of dad, especially Luz, Natalie, Jackie, Nancy and Jennifer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonardo and Tiburcia Martinez; five sisters; four brothers; his daughter, Patricia Martinez; and grandson, Robert Angelo Renteria.

Dad is survived by his wife of 68 years, Petra; his daughters, Linda Hernandez, Cindy Renteria, Debbie Estrada and her husband Tony, Terre Esquivel and her husband John; his son Todd Martinez and his wife Cheryl. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Lisa Fialho and her husband Chris, Gino Hernandez, Kimberly Renteria, Anthony Estrada and his wife Michelle, John Esquivel, Alex Esquivel and his wife Sunny, Matthew Martinez, and Michael Martinez; three great-grandchildren, Jessica Knowles, Mia and Amanda Fialho; one great-great-grandchild Chloe Wuensch; and brother Clarence Martinez from Kansas.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Sunday, August 11, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at The Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church at 4:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church on Monday, August 12, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home, 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno, California (559)227-4048