Tomas M. Martinez
December 21, 1923 — May 15, 2005
Tomas (Tom) M. Martinez, 81 of Penn Valley, California, died Sunday, May 15, 2005 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM. Tom was born December 21, 1923 in La Mesa, New Mexico to Amador and Manuela Martinez. Tomas served in General Patton's 3rd Army and was part of the invasion of Normandy (6-6-1944) during World Was II. He later participated in The Battle of the Bulge and lib...
Tomas (Tom) M. Martinez, 81 of Penn Valley, California, died Sunday, May 15, 2005 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM. Tom was born December 21, 1923 in La Mesa, New Mexico to Amador and Manuela Martinez. Tomas served in General Patton's 3rd Army and was part of the invasion of Normandy (6-6-1944) during World Was II. He later participated in The Battle of the Bulge and liberation of the concentration camps. Tomas was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star for Bravery in Action. Tom moved to California in 1949 where he opened up and ran his own barbershop in Orange Cove, California. He retired from barbering after 20 years, then, with his wife, opened up Sunset Market in Grass Valley, California, which they both ran from 1973 until 1999 when they both retired. Tom was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Grass Valley and was also a member of the VFW. He is survived by his loving wife, Sally of Penn Valley, CA; two sons, Tom Martinez Jr. of Grass Valley, CA and Christopher Martinez of Grass Valley, CA. One daughter, Vivian MacDonald of Santa Rosa, CA. Four brothers, "Pilo" Martinez of Bent, NM; Ralph Martinez of El Paso, TX; Sotero Martinez of Las Cruces, NM; and Benjamin Martinez of La Mesa, NM. Three sisters, Ofelia Chaffino and Dora Triste both of Las Cruces, NM; and Elfida Davalos of Milwauki, OR. Two grandchildren Jason Rojas, and Mason Amador Martinez; two great grandchildren Ciana and Aliya Rojas and 54 nieces and n...
Tomas (Tom) M. Martinez, 81 of Penn Valley, California, died Sunday, May 15, 2005 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM. Tom was born December 21, 1923 in La Mesa, New Mexico to Amador and Manuela Martinez. Tomas served in General Patton's 3rd Army and was part of the invasion of Normandy (6-6-1944) during World Was II. He later participated in The Battle of the Bulge and liberation of the concentration camps. Tomas was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star for Bravery in Action. Tom moved to California in 1949 where he opened up and ran his own barbershop in Orange Cove, California. He retired from barbering after 20 years, then, with his wife, opened up Sunset Market in Grass Valley, California, which they both ran from 1973 until 1999 when they both retired. Tom was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Grass Valley and was also a member of the VFW. He is survived by his loving wife, Sally of Penn Valley, CA; two sons, Tom Martinez Jr. of Grass Valley, CA and Christopher Martinez of Grass Valley, CA. One daughter, Vivian MacDonald of Santa Rosa, CA. Four brothers, "Pilo" Martinez of Bent, NM; Ralph Martinez of El Paso, TX; Sotero Martinez of Las Cruces, NM; and Benjamin Martinez of La Mesa, NM. Three sisters, Ofelia Chaffino and Dora Triste both of Las Cruces, NM; and Elfida Davalos of Milwauki, OR. Two grandchildren Jason Rojas, and Mason Amador Martinez; two great grandchildren Ciana and Aliya Rojas and 54 nieces and nephews also survive him. Besides his parents, Amador and Manuela, a sister Antonia Holguin, and three brothers, Amador Jr., Juan and Cruz Martinez preceded him in death. A visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, May 19, 2005 at Getz Funeral Home where the Prayer Vigil will follow at 7 PM. The Funeral Liturgy will be at 10 AM on Friday, May 20, 2005 at San Jose Catholic Church in La Mesa, NM with Fr. Antonio Martinez officiating. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at San Jose Cemetery in La Mesa. Serving, as pallbearers will be Jaime Martinez, Danny Martinez, Ben Martinez Jr., Amador Martinez Jr., Ralph Martinez Jr., and Rick Davalos. Honorary pallbearer will be Jason Rojas PDF Printable Version
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