Roberto F. Martinez

Robert F. Martinez 89 passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in Loving, NM surrounded by his loving family. Roberto was born on November 28, 1934, in Terlingua, TX to Felix and Jesusita Martinez.

Visitation will be 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Loving.  A rosary is scheduled for 1:30 PM, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Loving, NM followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 2 PM with Fr. Pasala Hruday Kumar officiating. Interment will follow in Loving Cemetery, Loving NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Roberto’s passion for baseball was a deep passion that not only grew through the years but continued through the lives of his children and grandchildren. If you were to ask, ‘anyone in the family’ whose Roberto’s favorite team was, the answer is ‘Atlanta Braves’ but really, his favorite team was the ‘Milwaukee Braves and the Monterrey Sultanes’. Roberto’s baseball career is a treasure that the entire family cherishes with stories passed on over the years, as “Big Bear Martinez”, would recall it. Roberto complied a career in baseball as a pitcher with an incredible 82-game pitching career with the Harlingen Capitols, Monterrey Sultanes, Saltillo Saraperos, Nogales Diablos Rojos, Corpus Christi Clippers, Hobbs Sports, Pampa Oilers/San Angelo Colts, Salinas Packers, and Poza Rica Petroleros. In 1952, the highlight of his career and his highest achievement was when he was signed by Milwaukee Braves, in Alpine, TX by Chief Scout for the Milwaukee Braves Earl Halstead who saw Roberto in action and immediately signed him and he became property of the Braves. Roberto’s passion for baseball changed in 1955 when he met the love of his life Aurora Martinez in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Roberto played AA-Baseball for Mexican team Monterrey Sultanes. The story is that the beautiful Aurora was working at the concession stand and met the love of her life and the rest is history. Then on September 15th of 1955, they married. Roberto’s career continued with Salinas Packer of California League ended in 1958 with a record 7 wins, 2 losses with 2.44 ERA. Roberto and Aurora then started family. This past September they just celebrated 69 years of marriage with their 9 children, 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Roberto was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic in Loving, NM. 

Roberto was preceded in death by his parents, Felix & Jesusita Martinez, brothers Alejandro Martinez, Juan Arispe, and sisters, Maria Martinez, Liberta Leyva, and one great granddaughter, Dyaisha Juare and one son-in-law, Chico Isaula. 

Survived by his wife Aurora Martinez and his nine children: Frank R. Martinez and wife Helen Martinez of Carlsbad, NM; Paco Martinez & and wife Julia Martinez of Loving, NM; Olga Isaula of Loving, NM; Sylvia Healey and husband John Healey of South Weber, Utah; Suzanna Garza & David Herrera of Loving, NM; Fernando Martinez and wife Rita Martinez of Carlsbad, NM; Pete Martinez and wife Shelley Martinez of Loving, NM; Rob Martinez and wife Sheila Martinez of Loving, NM; Ernesto Martinez & Reyna Gamez of Monterrey, Mexico.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Jason Martinez, PJ Martinez, Frankie Isaula, Jonathan Isaula, Michael Galindo, Matt Galindo, Orlando Garza, Kevin Martinez, Eric Martinez, Andrew Juarez, and Robbie Martinez.