Cloudy, 30° F
(October 12, 2002)
Funeral services were held Wednesday in the Lovell LDS Church for Arthur Martinez, 64, of Billings, formerly of Lovell, who died Saturday, Oct. 12 at Deaconess Medical Center in Billings following a lengthy illness.
He was born Sept. 10, 1938 in Lovell, son of Francisco and Juana (Velasquez) Martinez. He was raised and educated in Lovell where he played for the Bulldog football team and graduated from Lovell High School in 1957.
He became a member of the Lovell National Guard and also worked construction, which he had done since he was 15 years old. He worked for several different construction companies, and it is difficult to travel on any road in Wyoming or Montana on which he didn't assist in the construction.
On Feb. 18, 1989, he married Emerietta Hanson in Rapid City, S.D. The couple moved to Billings, where they have made their home for the last 13 years.
He enjoyed gardening, both his vegetable garden and his rose garden. He loved to share the "crop" from his garden with friends and family.
Since 1996, he battled health issues resulting from diabetes. Although he struggled daily, he reserved the time and energy to help others.
His family will remember that he demonstrated optimism and showed inner strength, strong will and exceptional character. He was a good man who will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Emerietta of Billings; step-daughter Marnie Johnson of Stillwater, Minn.; step-son Martin Hulbert of Powell; six grandchildren, Kyle, Justin and Gregory of Stillwater, Minn. and Mercedes, Austin and Lexus of Billings; five brothers and two sisters, Raymond Martinez and wife Dorothy of California, Frank Martinez Jr. and wife Judy of Great Falls, Mont., Rudy Martinez and wife Rhonda of Haywarden, Iowa, Jesse Martinez and wife Juanita of Lovell, Manuel Martinez and wife Virginia of Powell, Rita Cobos and husband Ben and Rose Cantrell and husband Jerry, all of Lakewood, Colo.; his sister-in-law, Pat, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Eva Martinez; a brother, John Martinez; a brother-in-law, John Jolley; and two nephews, Sheldon and Steve Cobos.
Burial was in the Lovell Cemetery. Haskell Funeral Home handled arrangements.
