Robert Martinez

Robert (Bobby) Martinez of Houston, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the age of 84. He was born on October 10, 1941, in Houston, Texas, where he grew up living his early years just outside of Downtown Houston, on Houston Avenue. Bobby helped his family financially, as a young boy, by shining shoes outside of the Rice Hotel, and also had a paper route, delivering the Houston Chronicle across his 6th Ward neighborhood. He was baptized and received his first communion at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Bobby graduated from Austin High School in Houston in 1960 and was drafted into military service after high school graduation. For two years, he trained at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina. He served in the Marine Corps Reserves for four years as a Sergeant, First Recruit Battalion, Platoon 130.

After the Marine Corps, Bobby married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Ann De La Cruz, on August 8, 1965. They had two sons, Robert Anthony and Ronald Rene. Bobby began supporting his family as an apprentice for G&H Tool and Die. He worked his way up the apprenticeship program to establish himself as a Class 1 Manual Machinist. He was then hired by Houston Lighting & Power Company, which later became CenterPoint Energy, where he worked in their turbine EDC shop as Head Mechanic for 35 years. Bobby retired from CenterPoint Energy in 2002. He continued working in various Manual & CNC Machinist positions in the Energy and Medical Equipment sectors finally officially retiring in 2019.

Bobby was actively involved in the Knights of Columbus Council 5077, as a charter member since 1961, living the motto "In Service to One, In Service to All”, for over 60 years. Bobby served as the Grand Knight for 15 years and received the Knights of Columbus Past Grand Knight Award in recognition for outstanding leadership, loyalty and devotion to Council #5077. He worked tirelessly on the Council’s sister organization, Guadalupe Columbus Club, in various roles; supporting and maintaining the hall, coordinating hall rentals, and spearheading fundraisers for the Council. Some of the fundraisers he started included popular chili cookoffs and an annual brisket sale, which peaked at over 100 briskets sold. His last official act as a knight was closing out the annual Superbowl Board for this year’s Superbowl, where, for the first time, to his great excitement, his square won!

Bobby also served as a Lifetime Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo committee member and was a charter member of the Go Tejano Committee. He remained active for 35 years. Bobby volunteered countless hours at the Tejano Diner during Rodeo Season. He also enjoyed participating in the trail rides that led up to the opening of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season, participating in the Rio Grande Valley trail ride for many years as a member of Los Amigos Trail Riders.

One of Bobby's loves was going to the De La Cruz family farmhouse in Shelby, Texas, for weekend stays and summer vacations. There, he helped other family members build bridges, install fences, water lines, and other property maintenance projects. Shelby was a place for rest, time with family, drinking Miller Lite beer, and time to practice his hobby of BBQing (Brisket). This led to his post-retirement endeavor,a BBQ catering company (Bobby MMM Good

Catering), cooking for special events. He continued to grow his passion for BBQ by participating in competitions like the annual HL&P Company BBQ Cookoff held at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Bobby led the HL&P EDC Shop BBQ team for many years.

His pride and joy was the BBQ pit he built by hand, welding one component at a time. He loved cooking for family, friends, and fundraising events. His crowning achievement was winning the Grand Champion award - Knights of Columbus Council #420 Chili Cookoff.

Beyond that, Bobby enjoyed spending time with his family and bragging about his grandkids. Holidays were always special to him, and he worked hard to make his house available each holiday season for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Eddie and Josephine Martinez.

Bobby is survived by his spouse of 60 years Sylvia Martinez and his two sons Robert Anthony (Irma Leticia) and Ronald Rene (Adrienne Marie). He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren Bianca Michelle, Gabriela Celeste, Bruno Fiore, Diego Andres and Luca Roberto. His surviving siblings are Richard (Annie), Margaret Alice Palacios (John), Janet Virginia Mendez, and Eddie Jr. His surviving brothers and sisters-in-law are Gilbert and Virgina De La Cruz, Ralph and Yvonne Sifuentes, Pat Tijerina and Chis Edwards.

In honor of Bobby’s love for western culture and his Tejano and Mexican roots, please wear a cowboy hat to his wake and the burial service after the Mass.

As an optional memorial for Bobby, please consider having a Mass said in his honor via one of the following websites or your local Catholic Parish.

Women of Grace Gregorian Masses

Marians of the Immaculate Conception Masses

Visitation will be held at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023, on March 5, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Prayer Service will take place at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023, on March 5, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church, 9700 Villita St, Houston, TX 77013, on March 6, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a Committal Service at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023, on March 6, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.