David Martinez

David was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico on May 4, 1928. He is the second to the youngest of 8 children born to Avenico and Julia Martinez. During his childhood he shared many fond memories with his brothers, Alfonso (Poncho), and Charlie, as well as his sisters Lita, Eloisa and Bertha. David, his brothers and sisters cared for their mother, their home and ran the family store, Martinez Brothers’ Market for many years after their parents divorced. During this time, he learned to be an honest and hard-worker. David completed his high school education at East Las Vegas High, it was where he met and later married his high school sweetheart Margaret Gaillour. At the age of 17, David and Margaret were married on March 5, 1946. Because of their youthfulness, and need to learn a skill to support his wife, David enlisted and proudly served in the United States Army from 1946 to 1948. It was there that he earned the rank of PFC before his discharge. He often shared stories with his grandchildren of his experiences while in the military and stationed in Korea. One of his fondest stories was how he saved his friend’s life. As he tells it, “it was God who put me there at that very moment to pull my friend back from being hit by a truck.” Upon returning home, he and Margaret started their family which was made up of five devoted daughters Cynthia, Irene, Juliana, Juanita and Elizabeth. During the expansion of his family, David returned to school and attended Highlands University where he received his training in Business Management and Accounting. After exploring various employment avenues in Las Vegas, David and his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1961. For many years David worked as an insurance agent, but ultimately obtained a position as a Taxation and Revenue agent. It was during this time, in which his education and hard-work earned him the position of District Tax Director for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. David held this position for many years before retiring in 1984 to care for his ailing wife. He did this with love and devotion until her death in 2011. While raising his girls, the family enjoyed many trips in the great outdoors. He taught his daughters to fish and camp. None of his girls were afraid to bait a hook or gut a fish. Tales of camper follies and marching music are shared by all as he kept the tradition alive with his grandchildren. Many of whom enjoy memories of Navajo Lake and backyard camp outs. Over the years, David became an avid golfer and enjoyed playing pool with his friends from the “Post”. He spent hours of tinkering in his 6 x 10 “man-cave” in the garage but would come out to play poker with his daughters or sit in the kitchen with crossword puzzles and solitaire to keep his wife company. Along the way, David introduced his family Evelyn, Emma and Ben, children born from his father’s second marriage. Through phone calls, visits and family reunions another branch was formed on our family tree. We are grateful to God and feel very blessed to have them with us. David will be remembered as a wonderful dancer, a jokester, an outdoorsman, a father to daughters and grand-daughters, a grandpa, a role-model, a man you could always count on, a tough guy, a shoulder to cry on, your go-to-person for advise, a mentor in patience, and a kind, gentle man with the strongest, softest hands in the whole wide world. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

David Martinez

May 4, 1928 - February 2, 2014