JUAN R. MARTINEZ, SR., a resident of Sedro-Woolley, WA, passed away on Tuesday July 9, 2002 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle at the age of 74 years. He was born on February 3, 1928 in Ganado, Texas, one of nine children and the only son of Alberto & Florinda Reyez Martinez. Juan was raised and attended school in Texas. In 1945 he was united in marriage to Josephine Alaniz in Edna, TX. They made their home in Texas and Juan worked as a welder for a boat company that built the ferries used by the Washington State Ferry System and when those boats were delivered for use, he moved to Washington to help maintain and repair them.
They moved to Skagit County in 1968, living in Burlington and later moved to Sedro-Woolley in 1974. Juan worked as a welder for Smiley Fabrication for several years until opening his own business, Martinez Welding and Fabrication in 1979.
Juan was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley.
He loved to travel to Texas to visit with his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife Josephine in 1995, his parents, a son Leonard in 2001 and a sister Consuelo Rosales.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Albert ‘Bobby’ Martinez, Mary Ann & Gary Riggle and Travis & Marla Martinez all in Sedro-Woolley, WA; Juan & Karyn Martinez, Jr. of Stanwwod, WA,
Tony & Kristy Martinez of Tillamook, OR and Theresa & Shane Adams of Marysville, WA. His sisters, Lupe Rosalez, Mary Vasquez, Delores De Los Santos, all of Ganado, TX and Georgie Garcia, Antonia ‘Toni’ Martin and Isabel Escamilla all of Ukiah, CA. 23 grandchildren, Darci, Chad, Justin, Mathew, Michael, Michelle, Melissa, Mindy, Heather, Rachel and T.J. Martinez, Jennifer Martinez-Hoffman, Amy Burt, Megan Spane, Jordan Minerich, Katie, Joanna & Danny Riggle, Steven & Kevin Mason and Brad, Lisa & Steven Squires. 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private family services were held Friday July 12, 2002 at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Father Patrick McDermott officiating. Arrangements under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
You may share your thoughts and memories of Juan by signing the online guest register at www.lemelychapel.com.