Joe O. Martinez

Joe O. Martinez, 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Wesley Woods Rehabilitation and Healthcare, surrounded by his children.

His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waco, Texas, with Father Benji officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation and Rosary will be held Monday, May 20, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m., in the Chapel at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.

Joe was born March 14, 1934, and raised in Waco, Texas, to Ysaias and Carlota Martinez. As a young boy, he held many jobs including as a shoe shiner, paper boy, and working in the cotton fields. When he reached the age to work for a local business, Pure Milk Company, he remained loyal and stayed at his job for 23 years. He then left to begin a new career at General Tire Company and was employed there for 12 years, until the business closed. Joe finally retired after 7 years at the WRS Group of Waco.

On June 26, 1954, Joe married the love of his life, Marina Gonzales. The two were together for 69 years, and brought six children into the world. He had a love for baseball and football and enjoyed watching games. He was also mentioned as a young boy of 10, in the local newspaper for winning the title of Marble Champion. Joe played football at the age of 15 for the Boys Club in 1949, and he even played Semi-Pro baseball for the Waco Missions Club between the years of 1958 until 1970, as a pitcher and first baseman. Joe was a long-time member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church as an usher and he was a long-time member of the Waco Missions Club, where he was an avid poker player. Family and friends will always remember Joe for his famous barbeque brisket and hamburgers.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ysaias and Carlota Martinez; a son, Frankie Martinez; three brothers, and four sisters.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Marina; his daughters, Janie Jasso, and Debbie Hurtado; his sons, Joe Jr. and wife, Mary, Fredrick and wife, Shannon, and David and wife, Melissa; Joe is also survived by his 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.

His pallbearers will be his grandsons: Ernie Garcia, Joe Martinez III, Eric Lee Jasso, Miguel Hurtado, Joshua Martinez, and Jeremy Martinez. Honorary pallbearers include Brian Garcia and David Martinez Jr.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Joe’s memory.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to all of the nurses and nurses aides at Wesley Woods for their exceptional care for Joe.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Joe on his “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.