Joe Matt Martinka

Joe was born on October 18, 1924, in Granger, Texas, to Frank and Mary (Nejtek) Martinka of Weir, Texas. He was the twelfth of seventeen children.

In 1943, Joe was drafted into the United States Navy, where he served aboard the USS Sangamon for the duration of World War II. On May 4, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, his ship was struck by a kamikaze plane. Joe was injured and knocked off the ship during the attack. He was later rescued by a destroyer and returned to the Sangamon, where he received the Purple Heart for his injuries. After the war, Joe returned home to the family farm in Weir, Texas.

On September 3, 1950, Joe married the love of his life, Annie (Merle) Dodson, in Georgetown, Texas. The couple eventually settled in Marble Falls, Texas, where they raised their family. Joe was well known in the community as the night attendant at the local Exxon station, where he worked until his retirement in the late 1980s.

One of Joe’s greatest passions was gardening—a love he proudly passed down to his son Jimmy and grandson Trent. He also deeply enjoyed hunting and fishing, finding peace and joy in the outdoors throughout his life.

Above all, Joe was a devoted family man, and his deep love for his grandchildren was evident to all who knew him.

Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Annie (Merle) Martinka; daughter Linda (Susie) Daponte; his parents, Frank and Mary Martinka; and his siblings Mary Kuba, Hattie Stuchly, Frank Martinka Jr., John Martinka, Tim Matinka, Pete Martinka, Paul Martinka, Tracy Gilliam, Cyril Martinka, Martha Kaderka, Helen Oryschak, George Martinka, William “Bill” Martinka, Anne Klepac, and Henry Martinka.

He is survived by his sister, Agnus Polasek; sons Jimmy (Celeste) Martinka and Billy (Laura) Martinka; grandchildren James (Catherine) Frailey, Tami Martinka (Kody Shaw), and Trent (Megan) Martinka; great-grandchildren Wyatt Frailey, Dylan (Sarah) Frailey, Emma Clark, Isabella Clark, Anton Cerventez, and Jamie Shaw; and great-great-grandchildren Solomon Frailey and Amelia Frailey.