Roberto Martinez Jr.

October 19, 1936 - February 14, 2021

Roberto Martinez, Jr., entered eternal rest on February 14, 2021. He was born on October 19, 1936, in Harlingen, Texas, to Roberto and Martina Martinez. He attended Harlingen schools, and subsequently graduated from Raymondville High School. He went on to trade school, where he was state certified in HVAC and Plumbing. On April 26, 1959, he married Maria Antonia (Tonia) Garate at Sacred Heart Church in Elsa, Texas. Together, they had four children. Roberto was widowed after 24 years of marriage when Tonia passed in August 1983. Roberto served in the Army National Guard, where he reached the rank of second lieutenant. He was proud of having only one career employer. He worked as a plumber with the H.H. Hahn Plumbing Company in Harlingen, where he served as foreman for many years. In 1980, Roberto attained his master plumbers license and purchased the company. He kept the business even after he shut down the store front, and he retired as a self-employed plumber under the original name of the business. He had a large and loyal clientele that he served, and he was very proud of the quality of his work. In 1986, Roberto married Lourdes Rocha, thereby gaining two step-children, Luis and Vanessa Apodaca. He was married to Lula for 34 years when she passed in January of 2020. Roberto enjoyed nature. He loved hunting, raising farm animals, and gardening. He spent the last years of his life tending to his beautiful garden, sharing cuttings with friends and family as often as he could. His garden is the symbol of the life he lived and the beauty he left behind. He is survived by his four children, Rosa Casas, Rebecca (Rodolfo) Monsevalles, Roel (Mary) Martinez, and Rachel (William) Trenfield and two step-children, Luis Apodaca and Vanessa Herrera. Surviving siblings include, Guadalupe Martinez, Celso Martinez, Laurenzi Martinez, Carmen Sierra, and Ramiro Martinez. Roberto was preceded in death by his parents, Roberto Martinez, Sr. and Martina Martinez. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Edelmira Villarreal, Rafaela Martinez, Minerva Craig, and Arnaldo Martinez. Along with his children, Roberto leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and multiple great-grandchildren. Roberto has lived a long, full life. He loved his family more than anything else, and his family loved him in return. He leaves a great void in our lives, and we look forward to seeing him in the hereafter. He will never be forgotten. Visitation will begin Sunday, February 21, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and a rosary will be held at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be Monday, February 22, 2021 with a chapel service at 10:00 AM at the Rudy Garza Funeral Home and interment will follow at Mont Meta Cemetery under the auspices of the American Legion Post #205.