Porfirio "Pilo" Martinez

Porfirio “Pilo” Martinez, 90, of Carlsbad, New Mexico went home to be with the lord on Thursday, September 29, 2022.  Pilo was born during the Great Depression to Nasario Martinez and Guadalupe Dorado Martinez in Morton, Texas on September 15, 1932. Pilo was raised in Carlsbad near old San Jose in the early 1940’s when the family’s home was washed away by a historic flood.  At a young age, Pilo worked at the Carlsbad Army Airfield assembling practice bombs and during those hard times, he used the wood from the discarded crates to help build the family home in new San Jose.  In his late teens he joined the Army where he served during the Korean War.  In the summer of 1952, he met Emma Garcia and after his return from the service, they married on May 5, 1955.  Pilo and his brother Tom established their own construction company, Martinez and Martinez Lath and Plaster, and worked throughout southeast New Mexico and west Texas.  Pilo and Tom also owned and operated the Toms Texaco, Carlsbad Dragway and the Carlsbad Speedway where he was known for his famous “Pilo Burgers.” Pilo enjoyed watching boxing, building and customizing old cars and Harleys, going to car swap meets and car shows, spending time with his grandchildren, and going to McDonald’s and visiting with his friends.

Pilo was preceded in death by his wife Emma and granddaughter Milagro Mia Franco. Survivors include daughters Perla Martinez, Priscilla Martinez, and son Porfirio “Porf” Martinez, Jr. and his wife Grace; grandchildren Ricco Martinez and his wife Syerra, Alegria and fiancé Trey Weiskopf, Steve Montanez and his wife Christine, Scott Sing and his wife Larissa, Megan Martinez; great grandchildren baby Emma, Zakary, Eric, Sophia, little Soph, Boston, Saleen, Shelby, Henry and Lylah, great great grandson Zayir Methola, and brother Guadalupe “Pache” Rubio.

Pallbearers are Joe Navarrette, James Shipp, Ruben Campos, Ricco Martinez, Scott Sing, and Zakary Martinez.

The visitation and viewing will be at the Denton Wood Funeral Home at 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2022. Deacon Tony Dominguez will officiate a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. following the viewing.  A mass of Christian burial will be held at the San Jose Catholic church at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 4, 2022. Burial interment will follow the mass services at the Santa Catarina cemetery.  A meal will be served at the American Legion following services.