Modesto "Modie" - Age 58 - Dixon Martinez, Jr.

MODESTO “MODIE” MARTINEZ JR., 58, a resident of Dixon, passed away at home on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 following a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Antoinette Martinez; brothers, George, Howard and Juan “Tano” Martinez; paternal grandparents, Juanita and Salustriano Martinez; maternal grandparents, Andrea and Candido Montaño; father-in-law, Robert Gurule; sister-in-law, Pauline Gurule; brother-in-law, David Gurule and dear nephew, Freddie Montoya Jr. Modie took pride in auto body work and painting cars, he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, dancing, singing and hanging out with family and friends. His hobbies were making rosaries and donating them to St. Anthony’s Parish Bazaar’s. He was also a collector of all items and left projects done and undone, and loved making jewelry for his wife, JoAnn. He would take his walk every morning and loved his green chile with beans. Those who loved Modie will dearly miss his smile, laughter and presence. Mr. Martinez is survived by his wife of 30 years who he loved very much, JoAnn Martinez; children, Gene Ortiz and companion Chantelle of Española, Matthew Martinez of Dixon, Melissa Martinez of Peñasco; step-children who he raised, James Fernandez and Janice Sandoval; grandchildren, Angelina, Domonique, and Diego Martinez, David, Elijah and Daija Fernandez Gurule, Conrad Sandoval and Dylan and Devina Martinez; parents, Modesto and Marina Martinez of Riverside; brothers and sisters, Mary Sandoval and husband Jake of Riverside, David Martinez and wife Lorraine of La Mesilla, Michael Martinez and wife Karen of La Puebla, Inez Valencia and husband Edward of Santo Niño, Jerry Martinez and wife Darby of La Mesilla, Leonard Martinez of Riverside, Melvin Martinez of Fairview and Angela Trujillo and husband Jerry of Chimayo; mother-in-law, Ruth Gurule of Dixon; sisters-in-law, Irene Gurule of Dixon, Christine Chavez and husband Johnny of Arroyo Seco; brother-in-law, Norman Gurule of Dixon; God-children, Michelle Valencia, Jo-Ann Medina, Michelle Montoya, Johnny and Christine Chavez, Ricky and Ida of Española; close friends, Tina Rivera, Susan Jergenson and Rex Cororan and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Public visitation will begin on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anthonys Catholic Church in Dixon with a rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. also at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Chatholic Church. Burial will take place at the Father Cooper Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Norman Gurule, Jake Sandoval, Edward Valencia, Herman Peña, Johny Chavez and Jerry Trujillo. The Martinez family has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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