Emiliano Martinez Obituary

Longtime Dove Creek resident Emiliano Alfred Martinez died Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at his home. He was 62.

Known as "Al," he was born to Emiliano "Benny" and Loyola Martinez in Cortez on Jan. 14, 1947. Mr. Martinez grew up in

Ogden, Utah, in his early childhood, later moving to Colorado. He went to high school in Dove Creek and participated in

the wrestling program.

He joined the Navy in 1965 and spent four years in service aboard the USS Granville S. Hall "YAG40" out of Pearl

Harbor, Hawaii. Mr. Martinez was an electronics technician, and he worked on a top-secret biochemical warfare project

named Project Shad. His mission was not declassified until July 2002. Mr. Martinez's shipmates said he was loyal and

brave. One said to the family, "One day when we were out to sea, Al informed me that we could call him Mex."

In 1971, he married Ida Marie Buffington. The marriage later ended in divorce.

Mr. Martinez worked in construction,  and his family said there wasn't any job that he wouldn't try.

Al loved being involved with the wrestling program and the wrestlers and enjoyed watching his family wrestle.

Some of his best times were spent with his family, and he really enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He took

special joy in teaching his grandson Isaiah Martinez the tools of the trade. Mr. Martinez even made Isaiah his own

tools and stool so he could help his grandpa.

"His best attribute was his servant attitude to help others no matter what time of day or what the job consisted of or

who it was, even if they weren't his friends," his family wrote.

Mr. Martinez was preceded in death by his son Terry James Martinez; and daughter, Debbie Martinez.

He is survived by his sons Benny Martinez of Bayfield, and Geoff Martinez and Zac Martinez, both of Dove Creek;

brothers, Dave Martinez, Julian Martinez, Gary Martinez, Steve Martinez and Mark Martinez; sisters Annie Walck, Patsy

Martinez, Syl-via Yvette and Christina Montgomery; seven grandchildren; and numerous cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces and

nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at the Dove Creek Community Center.

To send online condolences, visit www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on

the obituary section.