David R. Martinez

David R. Martinez, 52, of Las Colonias passed away unexpectedly on December 16, 2012. Davids family was his priority. He was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, son and friend. He took pride in his work, was a genuine friend, humble, an extraordinary, exceptional regular guy. He had genuine concern for his children, Veronica, Aaron and Donnie. His wife remembers Dave and fondly said, David was the essence of what she thought a man should be. He enlisted in the US Army right out of high school and worked in the beer industry for over 26 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Lucilla Martinez, grandparents, Fidel and Bersabe Martinez and Eduardo and Patrocina Salazar, sister in-laws, Donna Sandoval, Susan Lovato and many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, JoAnne Martinez of Las Colonias, children, Veronica Griego (Manny) of Santa Fe, Aaron Grace of Las Colonias, Donnie Lovato of Las Colonias, grandchildren, Julia Savannah Griego, Manny Griego III, Emilio Griego, brothers and sisters, Dolores Ortega (Severo) of Coyote, Marcella Suazo (Willie) of Albuquerque, Belarmino Martinez (Gloria) of Velarde, Dorella Martinez (David Brasel) of Aurora, CO, Bersabe Akell (Alan) of Aurora, CO, Godparents, Eulogio and Lugarda Serrano of Espanola. Godchildren: Nathaniel Akell, Olivia Romo, Julia Griego, Donnie Lovato and Gilbert Dominguez. Parents-in-law, Gilbert Lovato of Santa Fe, Donnie Lovato of Santa Fe. Brothers and sisters in-laws: Theresa Lovato, Gilbert Lovato, Patricia Sandoval, Robert Baca (Kassie). He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and other relatives and friends whom he loved dearly.

Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 7 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Taos. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 12:30 PM at the San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in Coyote. Interment will follow at the Coyote Catholic Cemetery with full military honors. Serving as pallbearers will be Nathaniel Akell, Darrell Roybal, Bubba Martinez, Severo Ortega, Donald Martinez and Manny Griego. Honorary pallbearers are Tammy Suazo, Brian Peterson, Daniel Sandoval, Wilbert Vigil, Beto Pacheco, Beva Martinez and Florencito Montoya. David was a great friend, a loving, reliable husband, a good listener and will be remembered fondly and missed always.