Daniel B Flores

A Tribute to Jose A. Martinez Daniel B Flores

A Tribute to José A. Martínez is written in honor of the life of a good and true friend, Joe A. Martínez who passed away on December 17 after a having lived a very full and productive life. During his life he was a very active man, a Santa Rosa Lion, a World War II veteran, a New Mexico State Aggie, an educator, a community leader, a good Catholic, a compadre, a padrino, an uncle, and a husband. Most importantly he was a friend to everyone he ever met. When he entered eternal life he left behind many relatives and a multitude of friends to mourn his passing and to celebrate having known the man whom everyone lovingly referred to as "Alcario." Everyone was left with a void in their hearts. He also left his friends with the knowledge that they are better for having known him and have precious memories of his life. He had a special love for the community where he was born and in which he spent his elementary school year, a community which he always fondly referred to as "La Pintada." He had been born into the pioneer Martinez family, a family that had strong roots in La Pintada. His grandfather was one of the New Mexicans who drafted a Constitution for the Territory of New Mexico that led to statehood being granted in 1912. His family was a firm believer in the value of a good education. One of his older sisters became a school teacher in the Guadalupe county schools. Alcario followed in her footsteps by becoming a teacher and later a school administrator. Several of his nieces are also teachers. He was also a rancher and had extensive land holding in La Pintada. He continued being actively involved in the operation of his ranch into his early nineties. La Pintada and his ranch were always very special to him.