John Martinez Obituary

John "Doobie" Martinez passed away peacefully at The Life Care Center in Farmington, New Mexico on June 5, 2017. John was born to Fermina and Carlos Martinez in Durango, Colorado on June 8, 1935. He had seven brothers and sisters.

John met the love of his life, Lucy, in 1970. John and Lucy were married on January 22, 1972 and spent most of their 45 years of marriage in Durango. John retired in 2005 and then moved to Farmington, New Mexico. John loved his wife and his family. He had six children, fifteen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

John worked for the D&RGW Railroad and then the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge for a total of 42 years starting at the young age of 19. John loved his job and rarely missed a day of work. He would make it to work even after a late night out with the boys. As a young man, John liked to gamble and could be found at a card table from time to time. John spent most of his life on his motor car patrolling the tracks or down by the river fishing. He loved to fish! It has been said that he has made enough trips from Durango to Silverton to equal multiple trips to the moon and back.

After retirement, John spent the majority of his time with his grandkids. He will be sorely missed! John knew no strangers and had many friends. He was a kind and generous man, a man who would give you the shirt off of his back. If you ever visited him at home, he always made sure that you left with some little treasure. He was a collector and had a large assortment of ball caps and sunglasses.

John is survived by his wife, Lucy, his son Louis Martinez, his daughters Linda (Jake) Tucson and Debbie (Chris) Kadel, his brother Eppie (Barbara) Martinez and sister Evelyn Archibeque. He was preceded in death by his sons, Jimmy, Max, and Rick, and his granddaughter, Charissa.

A Funeral Mass in celebration of John's life will be held in Durango at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 10:00 AM with a reception following.

Memorial contributions in John's name can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 9500 Montgomery BLVD NE, Suite 121, Albuquerque, NM 87111

John's family would like to thank the nurses and CNA's at the Life Care Center in Farmington for the care he received while he was there.