Feliciano “Felix” Elias Martinez was born June 9, 1927, in Arroyo Seco, New Mexico to Trinidad Pacheco Martinez and Pedro A. Martinez. Raised in the heart of the Taos Valley, Feliciano joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, and served during the final two years of World War II.
Following the War he returned to the family home in Des Montes, New Mexico, for a brief time before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1946. Feliciano served in Japan, Germany, and Austria where he met his wife of 65 years, Katharina Lehr Martinez.
Feliciano and Katharina had four children – Floyd, Elmer, Pedro, and Leo.
As a U.S. Veteran, Feliciano served in WWII and Korea. He retired from the Army in 1966 out of Ford Ord, California, as a First Sergeant.
Feliciano and Katie relocated their family to Arvada, Colorado, in 1966.
In 1966, Feliciano began work for the State of Colorado as the Director of Gilliam Youth Services Center in Denver. He spent the next 20 years reforming Colorado’s youth until his retirement in 1986.
Feliciano is preceded in death by his wife Katharina, his son Leo, and his sisters Elizaida Martinez, Leocaida Trujillo, Anita Martinez, and his brother Benjamin Martinez.
He is survived by his son Floyd (Janet Dean), Elmer (Dee), Pedro, granddaughters Tonia Broussard and April Giles (Greg), grandsons Eric Martinez (Amber), Aaron Martinez (Halie), great grandchildren Ella, Nathan, Leo, and Charlotte, and one great grandchild expected to arrive in August.
Feliciano was loved and respected by many including his numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He will be interred at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, with his son and wife.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
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