Pablo "Paul" Martinez Sr., 73, went to be with Our Lord on the evening of Monday June 25, 2012. He was born in Topeka, Kansas on November 3, 1938 to Jose R. and Virginia (Estrada) Martinez.
In October 1959, he joined the Army and achieved the rank of SGT, honorably discharged in October 1962. He was a parachutist in the 101st Airborne Battle Group, Company B, 327th Infantry.
Pablo married Carmen Duran on June 25, 1966 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Topeka, KS. In earlier years, he enjoyed playing softball with his many friends. He was a lifelong KU basketball fan. He enjoyed getting together with friends from "Bottoms" and sharing memories. He was ALWAYS a side line coach teaching his kids and grandkids the finer points of basketball.
Pablo had previously worked for KNI and later retired from the United States Postal Service in 1992. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 11777.
Pablo is survived by his wife Carmen of 46 years; his children, Angela (David) Valdivia, Nici (Robert) Soria, and Pablo "Marti" Martinez II and fiancé Sudia Cortez, eight grandchildren, Sierra, Estefan and Isabella Valdivia, Pablo "Trey" III, Tony and Thomas Martinez, Angelica and Ruben Soria, all from Topeka, and five sisters Paula Padilla of Granada Hills, CA, Ruth Campos of Topeka, Virginia Smith of Gretna, NE, Priscilla A. Martinez of Topeka and Adelia R. Martinez of Overland Park, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Daniel E. Martinez, sisters, Rachel Lucero, Sylvia Ramirez, and Celia Soriano and one grandson, Andres Valdivia.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 am on Friday, June 29 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 6 pm on Thursday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Auxiliary Angel Fund in care of the Stormont Foundation, 1500 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66604.