Kenneth H. Martinez
The Honorable Kenneth H. Martinez, retired District Court Judge, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2023, at the age of 68, after a ten year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He blessed us with an amazing final week, filled with visits from his closest friends and family. He rallied and gave his loved ones beautiful final goodbyes! Kenneth was born on October 21, 1954, in Albuquerque, NM, to parents, Bennie Martinez and the late Helen Martinez. He graduated from Manzano High School in 1972, received his undergraduate degree in 1977 and Juris Doctorate in 1980 from the UNM School of Law. He had a distinguished career starting as a prosecutor for San Juan, McKinley, Taos and Bernalillo County, where he finally became Deputy District Attorney supervising the Violent Crimes Division. He was highly regarded for his trial skills and was successful in prosecuting many criminals. After working for several defense law firms, he opened his own law practice in 1997. While in private practice, he tried and won several police brutality civil rights cases in Los Angeles, California. In September 2005, Governor Bill Richardson appointed him to the Second Judicial District Court bench where he presided over many high profile criminal cases. He was extremely proud to serve as a criminal judge. Sadly, after nine years on the bench, Ken was diagnosed with Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s disease and was forced to step down from his dream job. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Vivian Martinez; daughters Savannah (Ryan) King, Gabriella Martinez (Anthony Hunter), Penelope (Tim) Parham, and his son Tim Roybal; ten grandchildren, Melanie King, Malcolm Hunter, DeWuan, Terrance, Elijah, Caileb, Josiah, Jireh and Nathaneal Parham, Timothy Roybal; father Bennie Martinez; three siblings, Robert, Shirley, and David (Sheryl) Martinez, and a long list of deeply-saddened nieces, nephews, cousins, family friends, colleagues, and extended family. He is preceded in death by his beautiful mother Helen Martinez, brothers Donald and Michael Martinez, Granny Lorraine Green, Gramita Josephine Martinez, his mother-in-law Lillian Lopez, sister-in-law Lupita Rodarte and his best friend, Gary Romero (aka Daddy Romero).
Ken’s Rosary and Memorial Mass will be on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 10:00 am, at Our Lady of Annunciation Church, 2621 Vermont Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. To view Ken’s entire obituary and to leave a special memory, please visit: https:// obituaries.neptunesociety. com/obituaries/ albuquerque-nm/ kenneth-mar tinez-11094219. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Kenneth Martinez to Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, 6731 Academy Road, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109: To donate online, please visit: https:// www.alz.org/ newmexico?form=alz_give