John Martinez-Metzgar

MARTINEZ-METZGAR, JOHN F.Age 85, passed away peacefully at home on March 22, 2013 in the arms of his loving wife and surrounded by all immediate family members. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Viola Martinez-Metzgar; sons, Gary Martinez and wife Yolanda, Leonard Martinez-Metzgar and wife, Selena, Lawrence Martinez, and Jimmy Martinez-Metzgar and wife, Tre; daughters, Lorraine Chavez and husband, Ken, Laura Sanchez and husband, Paul, and Debbie Martinez; 18 grandchildren, Luke Martinez, Denise Vigil and husband, Jerry, Yvonne Chavez, Adrian Martinez and wife, Stacy, Missy Martinez, Ryne Martinez-Metzgar, Tye Martinez-Metzgar, Angelica Chavez, Mya Martinez-Metzgar, Veronica Chavez, David Martinez, Bernadette Martinez, Nicole Martinez, Tenille Barela and husband, Francisco, Keith Sanchez, John Paul Sanchez, Adam Sanchez, and Angela Martinez-Metzgar; 12 great-grandchildren, JJ, Sean, Rayes, Reyna, Aidan, Austin, Asia, Aliya, Savana, Noah, Salvador, and Aurelia; sisters, Carmen Nordsiek (husband Eddie deceased), Lucy Bernstein and husband, Ron; and by Joseph Metzgar, and Bernie Metzgar and wife, Mary. Mr. Martinez was preceded in death by his paternal parents, David and Josafita Metzgar; his adopted parents, John Abel and Margarita Martinez; brother, Tony Metzgar; and sister, Mary Edith Baca. Mr. Martinez-Metzgar was born on March 31, 1927 and lived in the South Valley his entire life. He served in the U.S. Navy, enlisting in February 1945, attained the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer and one year later, in August 1946 was Honorably Discharged. In his early years he played American Legion and semi-pro baseball, typically leading the league in hitting and once sporting a .648 batting average which attracted scouts from the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees. He married Viola in 1950 and immediately moved into the brand new adobe home that he and his dad, John Abel, built themselves. He and his wife were to live in this home until the day he died. He worked for the Federal Government at Kirtland Air Force Base for 36 years, managing the Accounting and Finance and Quality Control Departments during this time. After taking early retirement at age 55, John and Viola began to travel, visiting 47 states in the U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Europe, South America and Hong Kong to mention a few. He took up golf at age 60, recruiting three of his sons to take up the game. They had a great foursome for 11 wonderful years. When John retired from golf, his three sons retired also. Mr. Martinez-Metzgar is best described as a kind, sincere, quite and humble man who always put his family first, whether it meant working 12 hours a day on the farm with his Dad as a child or making sure his 7 children had enough to eat before he himself ate. John had an amazing sense of humor. His families greatest pleasure was making him laugh so they could enjoy his wonderful smile. He established the foundation for his family by encouraging his children and his grand-children to become the best they could be as students and athletes, than reveled in their successes. While husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather will be missed, his legacy will be carried on for generations to come. A Rosary and Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 7:00pm at French - University. A Mass for Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 1400 Arenal Rd. SW. Interment will take place on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, with Full Military Honors. Pallbearers will be Luke Martinez, Adrian Martinez, Ryne Martinez-Metzgar, Tye Martinez-Metzgar, Keith Sanchez, John Paul Sanchez and Adam Sanchez (alternate). Honorary pallbearers are Paul Metzgar, David Sanchez, Randy Sanchez, Tony Gallegos, Dominic Torres, David Vigil, Richard Metzgar, Art Hurley and Val Trujillo. If friends desire, please make contributions to the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research, accessible via the internet.