José M. Martin, Jr.

José María “Joe” Martin, Jr. peacefully passed from this life on August 5, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born to the late José María Martin, Sr. and Juanita Agado on July 21, 1935 in La Paloma, Texas.

Joe proudly served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper during the Korean War and attained the rank of Master Sergeant.  He went on to serve the citizens of Harlingen for more than twenty years as a valued employee of the Harlingen Waterworks System. He held various certifications from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service for the operation of waterworks systems.

After retiring, Joe focused on his passion for music. He managed a local band, Los Angeles del Sur, and produced many Tejano dances and festivals.

Joe is preceded in death by the mother of his children, Dora Martin; his daughter, Donna J. Martin; his sons, Eddie Martin and Dean Martin; his brother, Raymond Martin; and many aunts and uncles.

Left to treasure Joe’s memory is his daughter, Debra Ann (John) Ritchie; grandchildren, Christina (Adam) Mendez, Gregory Joseph (Pam) Word, and Samantha Happy (Anthony) Guajardo; great-grandchildren, Blake Cole and John Robert Ritchie, Sophia and Ian Mendez, Evelyn Word, June Addison Martinez, Lucio and Remi Monae Guajardo; and, nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.

Many thanks to the staff of Magnolia Hospice Care for their wonderful, compassionate care.

The Martin family will receive friends on Thursday, August 18, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m. On Friday, August 19, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Harlingen, Texas.  Joe will be laid to rest with full military honors Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Heber Anthony Guajardo, Mario Cervantez, Manuel Agado, Jr., Joe Ray Martin, Herman Cortez, Sr., Herman Cortez, Jr., Joe Garza, Jr.  Honorary pallbearers are Lucio Guajardo, Greg Word, Ian Mendez, and John Ritchie, Sr.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586. 956.361.9192 www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW A LIVESTREAM OF THE RECITATION OF THE HOLY ROSARY