Charles Christopher Martinez

Charles grew up and received his education in White Swan, WA on the Yakama Reservation. He went on to work in various occupations throughout his life which included logger, cook, custodian, truck driver and his most beloved job was as a horse trainer. He trained cattle horses, polo horses, draft horses and race horses. Charles was a proud enrolled member of the Makah Nation. He was a very strong, quiet man who is loved dearly by his family and will be remembered forever.

Charles traveled throughout Western Indian Country Wild Horse Racing since the age of 14 years old. He was renowned as a horse handler, mugger and rider. He was very proud to hand down the tradition to his grandsons. His last wild horse race was at the age of 56 competing against his grandsons. It was one of the highlights of his life. Even after retiring at the age of 65, he continued to ride horses and assist his granddaughter Tots to train her horse right up to his last days. “He got ‘er done!”

He is survived by his daughters Dolores Martinez, Eva Martinez, Sandra Martinez and Marcella Tish-Martinez; son Jake Hawes; sisters Lucille Eberly, Dee Benson and Candace Reid; brothers Marvin Martinez Sr., Bennie Martinez Jr. and Dusty Martinez; grandchildren Tyler Martinez-Bobb, Klea Hoptowit, Tatiana Jack, Jory Shinpaugh, Zamora Martinez, Freedom Martinez, Treven King, Grey Eagle Martinez, John Wayne Martinez, Star Martinez, Dolores Ahto, David Ahto Sr., Princes Martinez, Edward Robinson Jr., Janie Martinez, Samir Martinez, Deziyer Robinson, Cheyenne Hawes, Terrick Hawes, Rittni Clements, Reggie Clements, Rabe Clements and 34 great-grandchildren. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie and Lynma Martinez, son Charles Martinez, grandsons Apaullo and Cooper Martinez.

Visitation will start at 11 am, Friday, October 28, 2016 at Merritt Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 1 pm. A reception will follow the services at the White Swan Community Center at 3 pm. To share a memory of Charles please visit www.merrittsfuneralhome.com.