Jesus Jessie/Chuy Martinez

Jesus Saldana Martinez, 94 years of life, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2023. He was a lifelong resident of La Feria, and was born on July 24, 1928. He is preceded in death by his late parents Genaro and Guadalupe S. Martinez and son Jesus Martinez Jr., sisters Ofelia Camacho, Esmeralda Chavez, and brothers Hildo Martinez, Gelicerio Martinez, niece Bonnie Martinez-Jenkins, Irene Zamora, his daughter's Cynthia's mother, and Josepha Maldonado, his daughter Ella and son Jesus Jr.'s mother. Jesus (Jessie/Chuy) will be honored and remembered as a strong man of faith and his positive hardworking belief . He was a lifetime member of St. Francis Xavier Church in La Feria. He was also known as "el plomero" (plumber). He learned the trade from his father and became a licensed plumber working for Sears and teaching many of his helpers the trade. In school he was President of the Spanish Club, played football, a member of the National Honor Society and graduated in 1947. He was known for his southern drawl, smile, humor, love of travel, and passion for visiting family and friends. He was never judgmental and held a positive view of life. Even in his last day when asked how he was doing he said, "pretty good." Other little known facts were that he had a piano and tried his best to learn. He also tried to teach himself German and could recite several poems by memory such as "The Raven" by Edgar Alan Poe, "Invictus" by William Henley and others. He loved science facts and numbers. He is survived by his sister Lupita Martinez, his cousin Diana Martinez and loving daughters Cynthia Zamora DeLeon, (Jessie), Maryann Reyes (Eddie) and Ella Zamora (Henry). Many nephews and nieces including Javier Martinez (Emma), Diana Sanders, Lupita Ponce, Melva, Nina, Sonya and many grandchildren including Frankie Zamora whom he adored and taught Spanish to. Lynda Phillips and Lisa Foster, who loved him dearly and saw him often, Selina Howard and Veronica Sanchez, who loved him very much. Many other grandchildren and nieces and nephews and great grandchildren. Visitation will begin Monday, June 5, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Rudy Garza Funeral Home in La Feria, Texas with a rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral service will begin Tuesday, June 6, 2023, departing Rudy Garza Funeral Home in La Feria, Texas at 9:30 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at 10:00 AM with burial to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria, Texas. See you soon "Daddy" in paradise and as he would say," I wouldn't expect anything less!" Special thanks to Flor Memik, Tammy Knowles, Meranda Garza and Gentiva Hospice Care staff for their love and care of our patriarch Jesus S. Martinez. Pallbearers: Son-in-laws, Eddie Reyes, Henry Zamora, and Jesse DeLeon. Nephew, Javier Martinez, grandsons, Frankie Martinez and Eddie Reyes Jr.

Jesus Jessie/Chuy Martinez

July 28, 1928 - June 1, 2023

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