Fred Martinez, Jr.

The family lived on a farm in Sutherland Springs under a sharecropping arrangement; and during certain times of the year, Fred would join his family as they traveled in search of work on farms across the state.

After his father died, the family moved back to Floresville. Fred dropped out of the sixth grade and began working at a local gas station to help support his family. In 1953, Fred enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving until 1957.

After, he worked as a driver for Butter Krust Bakery in San Antonio for several years until he opened his first business in the early 1970's: Quality Meat Market at the corner of Zarzamora and Martin. In the early 1980's, hard economics times forced him to shut down.

But in 1991, after years of perseverance, he got a second chance as he became the owner/operator of Alice Meat Market at the corner of Cupples and Ceralvo. He loved this market like a farmer loves his land. A proud work-a-holic, he remained at the helm until his death.

He is survived by his three children, Lisa Martínez-Sanchez, a UTSA professor, Dr. Richard Edward Martínez, PhD., a UTSA professor, and Alicia Martínez-Sanchez, a first grade teacher at St. Philip of Jesus. Lisa, a mother of four, is married to Rene J. Sanchez and Alicia, a mother of one, is married to Tony Sanchez; triplet-granddaughters, Katerina, Stephanie and Marisa; grandsons, Julian and Jordan; He is also survived by his older sister, Dora Plair of San Antonio, and his younger brothers, Waldo of Floresville and Rudy and Peter of San Antonio.