1947 - 2021
Paul Martinez went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 19, 2021. He was 73. Paul was born in Los Angeles, California to Paul and Rose (Ash); he was the oldest of 4 siblings.
In November of 1967 he was drafted into the Army at Fort Ord, California and was discharged at Fort Carson, Colorado. Paul met Dixie Schaal and they were married on December 19, 1967. They had just celebrated 53 years of marriage. They were blessed with Kelly Ann, Sondra LeAnn and Nick Allen. Paul absolutely loved the ocean, the smell, surfing and fishing, but he didn’t care so much for all the people. When he got out of the service they move to Burlington (no ocean); he loved the open space to hunt and fish and this was a great place to raise a family. He was known for just how hard he worked. His first job here was building Interstate 70 from the Kansas state line east. From there he worked on just about every part of construction; from laying carpet, framing, concrete, etc… He moved on to doing Septic and Rotor Rooter but after his stroke in 2011 he decided to retire and found his niche in forging knives.
He took pride in his work and would stay up at night designing the next knife. Someone was always dropping off steel for him to use. He sure had a lot of sore arms from hammering out the steel. Early on in the marriage the family went tent camping at Bonny Dam. They gradually moved from the tent, to a camper and eventually a 5th wheel. He also purchased a boat for skiing, tubing, family fun and most importantly, Fishing! Paul and Dixie loved the fishing tournaments at Swanson Reservoir in Trenton, Nebraska where they also spent the summers camping and fishing. They met so many great people and have many camping friends. Paul was always for the underdog, had a heart of gold and loved helping people.
Seeing him would result in a solid handshake, a slap to the stomach, a punch to the arm or a giant bear hug. Maybe all of them if you were lucky. You would have thought he had known you all of his life. He loved his family so much. It was such a joy when the grandchildren and great grandchildren were added to the mix. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Rose Martinez, and nieces Carol Ann Spurr and Cristal Lee Olberg. He is survived by his wife Dixie and 3 children: Kelly (Ken) Ray of Burlington, Sondra Martinez of Burlington, and Nick (LaDawn) Martinez of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Nine Grandchildren: Ryan (Chantel) Ray, Ashley West, Dellyn (Susana) Ray, Kylie (Lance) Carlin, Cheyenne Heskett, Adam Heskett, Nick Martinez, Mateo Martinez, and Jonah Martinez. Nine great grandchildren: Liliana Ray, Haygen, Brecklyn, and Waylen West, Dellyn and Hazelee Ray, Brixton and Sirus Carlin, and Harlow Gower. Also surviving are three sisters: Pam Martinez, Debra (Gary) Soria and Kris Martinez.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Free Life Church
111 S. 14th Street
Burlington, Colorado, United States
