Hispanic Heritage Series – Part 1 of V
Arthur Martinez came from the Greatest Generation and served in the U.S. Army with honor in World War II.
Martinez grew up during the Great Depression in Sugar City, Colorado and was close to his nine other brothers and sisters. His mother was born in Colorado while his dad was born in New Mexico. He shared a special bond with his siblings as the family made ends meet and preserved throughout major historical events like the war. During World War II, Martinez took part in the D-Day invasion. His family also served in the military, including his brother Everett Martinez who served in the Korean War.
Martinez lived a life of courage, honor and love and leaves behind a legacy as a Veteran and father to his five children Barbara (Robert) Maes, Beverly Martinez Grall (Stanley Davenport), Arthur Jerome Martinez, and Charles (Amelia) Martinez.
The U.S. Army Veteran passed away at his home on Aug. 18 while being cared for by his family. Martinez, who passed at the age of 99, lived independently up until the end of his life.
He graduated as the valedictorian of his high school class at Sugar City High School before attending the University of Denver where he graduated with a degree in accounting. Martinez worked as an auditor for the U.S. Army and traveled all around the world for his job including in Korea and parts of the United States.
Education was pilar in the Martinez family and all of Martinez’s children went to college, Grall said.
“I think (Martinez’s family) grew up with a real sense of how important education is. They just knew that the only way they were going to get out of the poverty they grew up in was by getting an education, and the service afforded them the opportunity to do that,” said Grall. “They were smart, and they knew it. They knew that they had good brains.”
One of Martinez’s favorite activities was traveling to Twin Lakes where him and his sons built a cabin where he would go to nearly every weekend after retiring. While in Twin Lakes, Martinez enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.
Up until a week and a half before he passed, Martinez was still living life as an active adult. He was computer literate and was described as well read by Grall.
“He was extremely disciplined, and he was very well structured. I think that’s why he lived so long,” said Grall. “He was extremely strict, but extremely fair. He gave a lot to his children but he also expected a lot of them.”
“He really was a special, special man. He was one of the last of the Greatest Generation, and we miss him,” Grall added. “I wish we had him longer.”
