Jose E. Martinez

Grandpa Jose E. Martinez, 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 with loved ones by his side.

     Jose was born in Harlingen, Texas on August 19, 1930 to Antonio Martinez and Josefina Cano Martinez. As a boy, he worked in the fields, picking vegetables and cotton. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1947, and later served as a combat marine in The Korean War.

      Jose married his first wife, Ethel, in 1949 and together they had four children. After retiring from the USMC in 1968, Jose and his family moved to Hanford, Ca. He worked for The Department of Employment and The Department of Rehabilitation where he assisted disabled veterans. He went on to work at College of the Sequoias as an instructor for the Career Awareness Program.

      During his time in Kings County, Jose served as a Hanford City Councilman, Chairman for The Housing Authority, and The Appeals Board. He was Charter President of the Optimist Club, American Legion Commander Post 3 and Field Representative for Assemblyman Jim Costa.

     After the death of his second wife, June in 2003, Jose moved to San Jacinto, Ca to be closer to his children. He enjoyed golfing, spending time with family and sharing stories of his life.

     As an assignment for his students, Jose wrote an example piece titled “How I Want to be Remembered”. Here is an excerpt from the paper: “I want to be remembered as a trusting man of good character. I would like for people to say, ‘I knew “El Hombre”. He was a man of honor, a loyal friend, and a trusted neighbor. He never cheated anybody and was always ready to help out in any situation, whether to donate for a good cause or help a neighbor in need of individual assistance.’ I want my peers to acknowledge my past as a farm worker picking the vegetables, picking the cotton, and all the hard labor that I endured in my youth, including discrimination and the abuse by those in high authority. Never again will anyone question my existence in this country.”

      Jose is preceded in death by Ethel Martinez, June Martinez, his son Ernie Martinez, and grandson Shawn Brady. He is survived by his longtime companion Jeanne “Nancy” Kendall, sons Joe and Rob Martinez, daughter Diane Brady (Jim,) daughter-in-law Lupe Martinez, grandchildren Jasun, Hope, Nicole, Micheal, Misty, George, Jon and 12 great grandchildren.

    Services for Jose will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on Monday, April 24th at 2pm. Please arrive at the gate by 1:30pm. No flowers.