Francis Martinez

Francis Martinez, 39 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Rust Presbyterian Hospital in Rio Rancho, NM. Francis was born December 08, 1983 in Fort Sumner to the home of Sandy and Margie (Sena) Martinez.  Francis was raised in Fort Sumner and attended Fort Sumner Schools. Francis met the love of his life Jennifer Hoy in 2007 and the two were married on September 17, 2021 in Clovis, NM.

Francis started working for his uncle Albert Sena at Fort Sumner Concrete while still in High School. Shortly after that, Francis worked pouring concrete ditches with Scott Marshall. Francis also worked for the Village of Fort Sumner for 13 years as a Machine Operator and Supervisor. Francis was employed by the NM State Department of Transportation, at the time he was diagnosed with Leukemia.      

Francis was a parishioner at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. 

Francis was happiest when he was spending time with his family. He often took his family on vacation, and made sure to take the time to teach his children life's important lessons. Francis was also a collector of Hot Wheels and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He enjoyed vintage cars, and going to car shows. He was a Kansas City Chiefs fan. When Francis was in Denver going through his battle with Leukemia, he found a lot of comfort and joy from talking to his Grandma Lorena on the phone. He loved to hear her talk about history and the "olden days."

Francis is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Eugene Sena in 1984 and Lorena Sena on November 22, 2022, his uncle: Raymond Sena, his cousin: J.R. Segura, a brother-in-law: Andy Lucero and father-in-law: Robert Hoy.

Francis is survived by his loving wife: Jennifer Martinez, three children: Jordan, Jacob, and Nicole Martinez all of the family home in Fort Sumner, and a boy he loved as a son: Diego Pacheco of Fort Sumner.  Also surviving are his parents: Sandy and Margie Martinez of Fort Sumner, mother-in-law: Virginia (Gabriel) Garcia of Fort Sumner, sister: Sadie Martinez of Fort Sumner, brothers and Sisters-in-law: Scott (Gwen) Hoy of Artesia, Patricia (Sterling) Smith of Texas, Deborah (Tracy) Matthews of Artesia, Robert (Brandy) Hoy of Roswell. his paternal grandmother: Celia Martinez of Fort Sumner, 6 uncles: Albert (Geraldine) Sena, Gene (Fran) Sena, Alex (Heidi) Sena, Randy (Dorothy) Martinez, and Gabriel  Baca all of Fort Sumner, and Andy Martinez of Clovis, one aunt Sandra (Leroy) Segura of Clovis, NM.    Francis is also survived by many nephews and nieces: Angelito Lucero, Santos Lucero, Nevaeh Hoy, Scotty Hoy, Zoey Hoy, Elisao Sena, Lilliana Sena, Raymond Sena, Lily Smith, and Elizabeth Smith.      

Viewing for family and friends will be held at 9:00 am Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Holy Rosary and the Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 am with Father Steven Imbarrato officiating. Interment will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Tim Sena, Eugene Sena, Cruz Sena, Angelito Lucero, Scott Hoy, and Michael Lucero. Honorary pallbearers will include R.J. Casaus and all his nephews.    

Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.