Arturo "Art" Martinez

Arturo “Art” Martinez, 87 of Santa Rosa, NM passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on June 10, 2021. Arturo was born on March 11, 1934 in Vaughn, NM to Pedro Martinez and Josefita (Vigil) Martinez. Arturo was raised in Vaughn where he also attended school, graduating from Vaughn High School. On May 7, 1951 Arturo married his wife of 68 years, Antonia at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in El Paso, TX. Arturo was a man of strong character and an excellent work ethic. After losing his father at an early age, Arturo went to work at the age of 11 shining shoes for travelers at the Vaughn Train Depot. He also worked at the Doxie Café peeling potatoes all in an effort to help support his mother and siblings. Later, he was apprenticed by Mr. Allen as an electrician in Vaughn. In 1960 Arturo moved his family to Santa Rosa and worked for Santa Rosa Electric. He later moved to Pampa, TX and worked for IRI International as an electrician until his retirement. He then returned to Santa Rosa and established Art’s Electric and retired for a second time in 2009. Arturo was well-known throughout the area as an electrician and he often liked to joke that he had been “in everybody’s attic or basement and many businesses” making electrical service calls. Furthermore, Arturo was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and never gave up hope that they would win the Super Bowl! Arturo was a parishioner at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church and gave back to the Church by donating electrical work to both Saint Rose of Lima in Santa Rosa and Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Vaughn. Arturo is preceded in death by his parents, his wife; Antonia in 2019, his son; Pete Martinez in 2021, his brothers; Blas, Benito, Juan, Frutoso, Samuel and Eliseo Martinez and his sister; Gloria Hernandez. Arturo is survived by his children; Joseph (Killarney) Martinez of Ramah, NM, Daughter-in –Law; Mary Martinez of Santa Fe, NM, Doris (Vincent) Cordova of Puerto De Luna, NM, Liza (Bob) Harrison of Puerto De Luna, NM, Barbara (Greg) Meyer of Santa Fe, NM, Margaret (Marc) DuCharme of Santa Fe, NM and Juanita (Scott) Martinez of Santa Fe, NM. Arturo is also survived by his grandchildren; P.J. Martinez and fiancé; Amanda Aguilar, Christopher (Melissa) Harrison, Joshua (Diana) Harrison, Jennifer (Jason) Jones, Katrina (Jeff) Smith, Patricia Cordova, Ethan (Barbara) Marquez, Brandy Queen, Nicholas Meyer, Gabrielle DuCharme, Luc DuCharme, Isabella Salazar and Juliana Salazar and great-grandchildren; Taylor Harrison, Mason Harrison, Raegan Harrison, Ryan Smith, Cameron Smith, Magnolia Cordova-Jones, Quinn Cordova-Jones, Cleo Antonia Cordova-Jones, Bailey Queen and Korbyn Queen. Visitation will be Monday, June 14, 2021 from 2-6PM at Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa. Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 10AM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa followed by the Mass of Christian Burial with Father Sotero Sena officiating. Interment will follow at Nuestra Señora Del Refugio Cemetery in Puerto De Luna with Luc DuCharme, Ethan Marquez, Nicholas Meyer, Joshua Harrison, Christopher Harrison, Hector Puchi, Danny Flores and Andrew Flores serving as Pallbearers. All services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369. To place an online tribute or condolence please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.