Jose Armin Martinez

Jose Armin Martinez, 93, of Uvalde, Texas passed away on September 1, 2025, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas.

Visitation will be held at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 1pm-9pm with a rosary scheduled for 7 p.m. same evening. A private family viewing is scheduled for 12pm-1pm.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.

He was born on April 4, 1932, in Guerrero, Coahuila, Mexico to Maria (Garza) and Jesus Martinez.

He married Guadalupe Rodriguez of Piedras Niegras, Coahuila, Mexico on January 2, 1955, in Piedras Negras.

He was known for his kind nature, his smile and his friendly wave. He worked at the YO Ranch for more than 20 years, as a young teenager up until his mid-thirties in 1968. In 1966, he was one of the many cowboys that expertly handled the long line of cattle through the dusty prairies in the heat; while 100 plus aging cattle were trucked a good share of the way, they traveled over a 600-mile stretch from the YO Ranch to Dodge City, Kansas. Later in life, he went to work for the schools in Uvalde as a janitor and retired from Robb School Elementary where the school children there referred to him as “Grandpa”. He was known to run a quick race with the kids or hit a tether ball on the playground. He and his wife of 66 years, Guadalupe, acquired a ranch of their own north of Uvalde, and that is where he enjoyed the rest of years with his family and friends and taking care of his horses, cattle, and goats.

He is survived by four sons, Jose Armin Martinez, Jr and wife Carol of Red Oak, Gerardo Martinez of Abilene, Fernando Martinez and wife Janie of Bryan, and Lupe Martinez of Luling; two sisters, Rosa Martinez of Guerrero, Coah. Mex, and Elma Martinez Gonzalez and husband Rodolfo of Leakey; brother, Roman Martinez and wife Maria Elisa of Eagle Pass; 9 grandchildren, Ralph Valadez, Marysa Martinez Cruz, Gerardo Martinez, Jr., Jose Armin Martinez, III, Adrian G. Martinez, Austin Luis Martinez, Garrett Andrew Martinez, Roxanne Martinez Garcia, and Gabrielle Martinez. Numerous nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Maria Martinez and his wife, Guadalupe Martinez Rodriguez, two brothers, Jesus Martinez and Ruben Martinez; and sister, Leticia Martinez.

Pallbearers will be Gerardo Martinez, Jr. Adrian G. Martinez, Garret A. Martinez, Austin L. Martinez, Ralph Valadez, Zachary Arizmendi, and Jose Armin Martinez, III.