ARTHUR V. MARTINEZ

Arthur V. Martinez of Sombrillo, age 68, passed away quietly at home on Friday February 17, 2017. Arthur was born in Chula Vista, California to Luis G. and Ramona Martinez, their 11th and last child. He grew up in Santa Fe, NM and was a 1966 graduate of St. Michael’s high school. Art married Isabel Valdez in 1968, and they had three children. Art loved dearly and without boundary his daughter Michele Martinez and partner Rick Martinez, his son Art Martinez, Jr. and wife Ramona Martinez, and daughter Veronica Albin and husband Douglas Albin. Art was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jesse Martinez, and former mother-in-law Angela Valdez, whom he loved. He is survived by his wife and love, Jessica Arias, with whom he shared the last 13 years of his life. He lives on through his grandchildren, Kierston Jerome Chavez, Ashleigh Segovia, Angelo Martinez-Chavez, Jesse Duran, Juliana Martinez, Alexis Martinez, Amelia Albin, and great granddaughter Acelynn Chavez-Gasca. Art’s second family through Jessica and to whom he was also a wonderful father, father in-law, son-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather, he leaves daughter Georgia and husband Damon James, son Santiago Sandoval and partner Amilya Ellis, daughter Lisa and husband Shane Bess, mother-in-law Dora Nelson and father-and mother-in-law Presciliano and JoAnn Sandoval, grandchildren Jessica and Marvin Romero and their four children, Taylor and Nick Franklin and their two children, Miquela and Tim Bess, Wade and Zane James, and Aaron and Greyson Sandoval. He was much loved and cherished as the baby brother to Genara and Homer Cunningham, Jose Martinez, Ireno and Orlinda Martinez, Sixto and Barbara (d.) Martinez, Mary and Dave Dillon, Louis and Helen Martinez, Mary Jane and Oliver CdeBaca, Fermie and Rudy Lujan, and Diego and Christine Martinez. He will be greatly missed by his brothers and sisters-inlaw Joyce Sandoval, Jeff Sandoval, Peter and Cindy Sandoval, Anthony and Mary Sandoval, and Louie and Nancy Sandoval. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and Godchildren who loved their Uncle Art. His love, joy and inspiration to live life to its fullest will be a warm memory to all. It is his spirit of generosity and bringing happiness to others that Art leaves behind as his legacy.

Public visitation will begin on Thursday, February 23, 2017 in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, 623 N. Railroad Ave, Espanola, NM at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited on at 7:00 p.m. Memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 908 Rosario St. Espanola, NM. Burial will be held at a later date. The family of Arthur V. Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.