Ruben "Pops" - age 80 - El Guique Martinez

Ruben Martinez (Pops), 80, a resident of El Guique, passed away, with his loving family at his side of a short illness on Monday, September 1, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona Martinez; step-son, Alfred Trujillo; parents, Manuel and Asencion Martinez; aunt who raised him Onofre Dominguez; brother, Valentin Martinez; sister-in-law, Gloria Clark. He had a never ending love for his wife Ramona, she was priority in his life the love they had was unconditional. When she passed, he was so lonely without her. He would visit her graveside memorial garden and spray her perfume every day and always said “Bueno, bueno a tu gusto, Mi Viejita.” Ruben loved his garden it was an adventure walking through it. His imagination for creating something from nothing was incredible, his wife would always help him with his choices. He enjoyed baking biscochitos, sopa, and hours of harvesting chicos, and posole. His pride was his 1949 Coup and was part of the club the Drifters. Most of all he was very devoted to his family, he cared for and raised one son and five daughters and one grand-daughter as his own. Ruben is survived by his daughters, Jane and spouse Julian Garcia, Gloria and spouse Pastor Mike Naranjo, Ruby and spouse Bengie Valdez, Bernice and spouse Wilfred Chavez, Tina and spouse Michael Borrego, Arlene Garcia and Joby Montoya who he helped raise; 27 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren; close nephew and nieces, Randy, Valerie, and Debbie; first cousins, Benito, Victoriana, Miguel, and Soraida; sisters-in-law, Helen Maestas and Angie Martinez. Public visitation will begin on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 6:30p.m. at The Rock Christian Fellowship, with a devotional service to follow at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rock Christian Fellowship, with a burial to follow at Loma Vista Cemetery in Alcalde. Serving the family as pallbearers Julian Garcia III, Juanito Valdez, BJ Vigil, Mikey Silva, Jose Trujillo, Dylon Martinez, and Uriah Arellano. The family of Ruben “Pops” Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. \r\n

---