Jose Martinez

Martinez, Jose Eleazar (Joe, J.E.)Age 91, a current resident of Springfield, MO and former resident of Albuquerque for most of his life, died Thursday, May 2, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Jones Martinez of Springfield, MO; children, Joe Jr. and wife, Carol, David and wife, Karen, Kathy Sanchez and husband, Steve, and Paul; seven grandchildren, Nikki and Kelly, Mandy and Michael, Andrew, and Max and Madelyn; two great-grandchildren, Christian and Gabriel; siblings, Virgil and wife, Ruth and Fred and wife, Vangie; and numerous other relatives and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Marcelino and Alfreda Martinez; and two brothers, Marcelino and Gomez. He was born in 1922 in Questa, NM and graduated from Menaul High School as Valedictorian, Class of 1938. He then attended UNM where he graduated with his Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. He received his Masters degree from Iowa State University and completed all course work for his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley. Joe served in the United States Army during WWII and later retired from the US Army Reserves as Lt. Colonel. After discharge from full time military service, he returned to Albuquerque and began his career as a Professor at UNM in the Civil Engineering Department. Thirty-eight years later, he retired as a Full Professor. He was an avid sports fan and a supporter of UNM athletics. He was a long-time member of Copper Pointe Church, one of the senior leaders of that church since 1953, and was a faithful servant on the church Board of Directors and Treasurer until he moved out of Albuquerque in 2000. Throughout the years, he was also involved in service to many Assemblies of God organizations, including Evangel University, the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and the Foreign Missions Board. He was a deeply committed Christian with a servant-leadership style, and a man admired for his character. He was an example of a kind-hearted man who thought of others first, a gentle soul and a peace-maker in difficult situations. Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. Though he will be deeply missed by all, we celebrate the new life he is now living with his Lord and Savior. A viewing and visitation with family will occur at French Funerals, Wyoming and San Antonio, on Thursday, May 9, 2013, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Graveside Services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2013, 9:45 am, at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N. Guadalupe St. A Memorial Service will be held at Copper Pointe Church, 10500 Copper Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123, Saturday, May 11, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Copper Pointe Church - Joe Martinez Memorial Fund at .