Ruben Martinez, Sr….November 12, 1950 – February 2, 2016

Mass of Christian Burial for Ruben Orlando Martinez, Sr. will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Las Animas, Colorado with Father Raymond Grimes officiating. Interment will follow in the Fort Lyon National Cemetery, Las Animas, Colorado. Rosary/Scripture service will begin at 9:30 a.m. also at the church.

Ruben Orlando Martinez, Sr. was born on November 12, 1950 to Joseph and Maria (Garcia) Martinez in Jarosa, Colorado.   He passed away on the afternoon of February 2, 2016 at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado at the age of 65.

Ruben grew up in Las Animas, CO, graduating from Las Animas High School in 1969. He was immediately drafted into the United States Army where he served multiple tours in Vietnam. He decided to make the Army a career and honorably served for 23 years as a UH-1 Huey mechanic / crew chief, retiring as a Sergeant First Class. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and citations and had copious amounts of exciting exploits. He was world traveled, but always had a soft spot for home. After he retired, he returned to Colorado and in true Martinez fashion, kept busy. He always had a project of some sort going. He was a grill master, a dancing machine, a skilled mechanic, but above all, a great family man. Ruben enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching old westerns and spending time with his family.

Ruben is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Maria (Garcia) Martinez; brother, Steven Martinez; and sister, Mary Martinez.

He is survived by his sons, Anthony Crowder and Ruben Martinez, Jr.; daughter, Jenny Martinez; seven grandchildren, Christopher Crowder, Megan Lopez, Johnathan Crowder, Diana Martinez, Miquela Martinez, Melody Martinez, and Noah Alatorre; great grandchildren, Nickolas Cook, Trinity Martinez, Tyke Blea, and Jesse Ramirez; brothers, Gregory Martinez, Robert Martinez, and Anthony Martinez ; sisters, Marilyn Gallegos, Leila Castillo, Marie Richards, and June Hibpshman,; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces,  nephews, and many friends.

Memorial contributions may be made in care of Horber Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 431, Las Animas, CO 81054.

For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit www.horberfuneralchapel.com.