Candido Martinez Sr.

MARTINEZ, Candido Sr., age 89 of Loveland, CO departed peacefully from this world on March 11, 2019 in Union County, Clayton, NM. Candido was born on November 27, 1929 in Folsom, NM to Jose Canuto (J C) Martinez & Maria Virginia (Lovato) Martinez. He was preceded by his beautiful wife of sixty years and 11 months, Virginia Marie Gutierrez on February 19, 2013. His parents, four brothers, Joe, Tom, Johnny, & Trancito Jaramillo, four sisters, Juanita A Ortiz, Rebecca Salazar, Feliciana DeHerrera, Ramona Gonzales & Clotilde Archuleta.

Mr. Martinez was raised in the villages of Folsom & Des Moines, the family moved to Clayton at a young age where he resumed his education in the Clayton Public Schools. Unable to continue his education, due to the financial hardships the family faced, he quit after the 6th grade. He assumed the duties and obligations to assist his brothers in providing for their family, a characteristic quality he carried throughout his life.

On 09 Februrary 1946 at the age of 17 he was able to persuade a local business man to sign for him to enlist into the United States Army. His parents opposed his request to serve in our armed services before the age of 18. His basic boot camp training involved the molding of individuals into soldiers through physical, mental, emotional & skills training was completed in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. After a 30 day furlough to Clayton, he was then stationed in Camp Kilmer, NJ.

During World War II, he was sent overseas on a liberty ship named the General Shanks and after 25 days at sea, the docking destination was La Harve, France, transferring to a troop train reporting for duty in Mons, Belgium. The next seven months was spent performing guard duty for German POW's. Another transfer sent the regiment to Paris, France for the liberation of the German POW's. Candido remained stationed in Paris for 20 months before returning stateside, reenlisting 19 August 1949 in Albuquerque, NM. During this time his youngest brother Johnny, also serving with the US Army was stationed in Seattle, WA. A weekend rendezvous was in order before his departure from Seattle to Beppu, Japan with the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division.

Upon arriving in Beppu, Japan, after a few months, they were given a liberty weekend, and while at a nightclub, the MP's entered and informed them to, "Pack your bags boys, we're headed for Korea!" leaving everything behind with the exception of their weapons and duffle bags.

During the winter months, the weather was brutal, the areas of the Choisin Reservoir, Inchon, Pusan, were in his words the coldest places he had ever been to in his life. Many of the GI's succumbed to the element of winter and the ugliness of war.

On July 19 & 20, 1950 the North Korean divisions attacked the 24th ID-HQ overrunning it in the "Battle of Taejon." In the ensuing battle, 922 men of the 24th were killed and 228 were wounded of 3,933 committed there. Many soldiers were MIA's, including his Division Commander Major General William Dean who was held captive for 24 months and later was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. One of his comrades from Springer, NM a medic was also captured, dad recalled the emaciated appearance of his friend & Major General Dean after their release. The division suffered more than 10,000 casualties during 18 months of fighting.

After returning to the States, on a weekend furlough, he married the love of his life, Virginia M Gutierrez on 22 March 1952 in Clayton, NM. He received his honorable discharge on 24 March 1953.

From this union they were blessed with seven children;

Donna L (Robert W) Williams-Clayton, NM, Dercilla J Bayne-Loveland, CO, Dorothy A (Jim) Trujillo-Windsor, CO, Robert B (Laura T) Martinez-Loveland, CO, Barbara K (James R) Hargrave-Loveland, CO, Denise C Martinez (George) Promis-Loveland, CO, & Candido "Tito" (Alycia M) Martinez Jr-Loveland, CO.

Eleven cherished grandchildren, Phillip E (Terri-L) Farias Jr.-Loveland, CO, Cyndi L (Todd) Fiechtner-Berthoud, CO, Kristy L (Tye) Marsh-Windsor, CO, Bobbi-Lee T Williams-Chicago, IL, Anthony R Velarde-Loveland, CO, Ashley N Trujillo-Windsor, CO. Teresa C (Casey) Steele-Fort Collins, CO, Audrey M (Melissa) McCormick-Loveland, CO, David R (Priscilla) Martinez, Andover, CT, Amy (Travis) Erion,-Loveland, CO, Jimmy (Abbey) Hargrave-Loveland, CO.

19 precious great grandchildren, Alexandra & Cameron Farias, Cecelia & Samuel Velarde, Autumn, Aurora, Maximus & Easton Martinez, Winslow Steele, Alyssa & Jacob Fiechtner, Kandice, Heather & Trevor Marsh, Tristan & Warren Erion, Zadan, Landon & Taylan Hargrave.

Several nieces and nephews who were very endeared to their Uncle Candy.

Upon his discharge from the US Army, his form of employment was carried through a variety of occupations, including the Town of Clayton & Clayton Public Schools. In 1972 the family moved to Loveland, CO where he continued his employment as maintenance director with K-Mart in Fort Collins, retiring after 20 years. Candido was very dedicated in his obligation to fulfill his duty as husband and father with a spirit and tenacity for life until the very end.

Dad your departure will leave a void that will never be filled, but your

infectious laughter and memory will remain with us forever, "thank you" for instilling and teaching each one of us character qualities of honesty, integrity, moral & work ethics, pride and to do our best at whatever vocation or profession we chose in life, we are blessed knowing God had the BEST set aside for us. Godspeed Dad until we meet again that Glorious Day!

The family extends their deep appreciation and gratitude for the loving care provided by Dr. Mark Van Wormer, Dr. Terry Weaver, Dr. Richard Foutch, Dr. Phillip B Dattilo, Apollo Med Flight, UCGH Staff & all those not mentioned by name, and most definitely not forgotten; Bobbie Holland, RN, Anthony Naranjo, RN, Debi Jesko, RN, Kaycie RN, Rebecca Arrington RN, Kelly Alsup RN, Ben Chavez RN, Ashley Suchocki RN, HHS-Pam Roberts RN, Jenny Coulter RN, Jessica Martinez CNA.

First responders of the Clayton PD, Clayton FD-Justin Drumm, Clayton EMS & Michael Hass Hass Funeral Home.

Cremation has been conducted. Memorial services with full military honors will be held March 29th at 1300 hours (1:00 pm), Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens 8426 S Hwy 287 Fort Collins, CO 80525. Inurnment will follow immediately after memorial services. The family suggest in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans &/or Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters to which Candido was a lifelong member, or the charity of your choice.

"A Veteran is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable

to their country for an amount up to, and including their life." Author unknown, Like your freedom? Thank a Veteran! FREEDOM ISN'T FREE! God bless all our service men, women and these United States of America.