Jim Orlando Martinez

Jim Orlando Martinez went to sleep on September 17, 2016. He was born in Nambe, NM, to Paul A. Martinez and Elvira Roybal Martinez. Jim was predeceased by his father, who died in 1971, his mother, who died in 1934 while Jim was only 8 years old, his brother Billy, who died in 1936 at the age of 6 years, his brother Renato , who died in 1995, and his beloved wife, Geneva, who died in 2007. He is survived by his three daughters, Elvira Wampler (spouse Ben), Anna Martinez (Juan Montoya), and Elizabeth Martinez (Pablo Ortiz), brothers Romulo Martinez (Juanita), Gerard Martinez (Cedilia), half-siblings Paul Martinez, Jr. (Socorro), Jerry Martinez (Madeline), and Cici Perno. Jim graduated from Santa Fe Senior High in 1948. He joined the Navy and received an Honorable Medical Discharge. Upon returning to Santa Fe he fell in love and married in 1950. Jim went to College of Santa Fe, then worked for Creamland Dairy, American National (top agent), Woodman of the World (top agent and regional manager), and Los Alamos National Laboratory (plutonium technician), from which he retired. He was blessed with 57 years of marriage to Geneva and 89 years of life. During his life he enjoyed trips to New Orleans, North Carolina, Nevada, and California. His motto was “Life is a bowl of cherries” and he tried to live that way. He had a strong grip in life as well as a hand-shake. He is missed by his friends and family. Funeral services will be Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 10:30 am at National Cemetery. The mass will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis Assisi at 9:00 on September 22, 2016 with a rosary at Rivera Funeral, 417 E. Rodeo Rd.