Jose Leroy

Martinez

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Deacon Jose Leroy Martinez was welcomed into heaven to be with our Lord Jesus, with doors swinging wide open for our Lord’s devoted son. Leroy praised and honored our Lord Jesus every day of his life. Many witnessed Leroy’s daily devotion of four Latin prayers, known as “vespers” and him falling asleep praying the rosary. His family often commented that being at his house was like being in a monastery. Those that knew him were captivated by his love for God, his family and his community.

Deacon Leroy was preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Mary Judy “Justicia”, and his daughters: Therese Martinez Dankbar, Maria Elena Romero Martinez, Cathy Celine Martinez; as well as his only son Robert Norman Martinez and brother J. Leon Martinez.

He is survived by his daughter Janet Martinez Pittaway and her two daughters Madison and Rio Pittaway of Las Vegas; Robert’s son Nathan Martinez of Rio Rancho and daughter Nina Rose of Denver; Maria Elena’s two daughters, Asia Rose of Washington D.C., Jordan and brother Daylan of Taos; Cathy’s two sons, Joshua and Ryan Martinez Evans and daughter Felice Amor of Colorado Springs, and Therese’s daughter, Lakota Marie Martinez, also of Colorado Springs. As well as, thirteen great grandchildren, a few ‘wanna be’s adoptees’, numerous nieces and nephews, multiple friends of Las Vegas, the deacancy, his educational journey, his career, prayer meetings, and his lifelong friends from El Rito!

Leroy served our community as a Deacon of OLOS for over thirty years and retired from West Las Vegas School district after teaching junior high science for twenty-five years. He was selected to attend numerous National Science Institutes at various colleges and universities including Notre Dame, Bringham Young, San Francisco, Maryland and Tallahassee to name a few. Leroy was among a few scientists selected to research, write, and publish a science curriculum for elementary students that was utilized in classrooms throughout the 1970s.

Those who knew Jose Leroy Martinez, were captivated by his love of God and how that love extended from him to all those in his presence with words of love, forgiveness and an understanding that we are all a Gift…a gift from God and no matter what, we are to know that we are loved! Stated by one noble, honest and fair man, Jose Leroy Martinez.

Rosary to be held Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 16, 2026 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church with the following serving as casket bearers: Steve Pittaway, Eric Arellanes, Louie Delgado, his grandchildren Nathan Martinez, Daylan Romero, Joshua and Ryan Martinez Evans, along with his great nephews Sammy Garcia and Dustin Duenas. Internment to follow at Mount Calvary at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary 600 Reynolds Ave Las Vegas, NM 87701 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.