Michael R. Martinez, 74, went to be with our Lord on October 21, 2023 in Quitman, TX. He dearly loved the Virgin Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ. Michael was born and raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico. His parents were Joe E. Martinez and Vivian (Jaramillo) Martinez, his brothers were Steve Martinez and Fred Martinez, and his sisters are Annette (Martinez) Sedillo and Lisa Martinez. He loved his family and his hometown of Las Vegas and had many fond memories of growing up there around his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Michael graduated from West Las Vegas High School in 1968. He then obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in social work from New Mexico Highlands University in 1974, and later went on to earn a Master of Science in Judicial Administration from the University Of Denver College Of Law in 1979. During his life he enjoyed a career in social work and a career in judicial administration. As a social worker he worked for the New Mexico State Hospital, Child Protective Services, and the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas. In judicial administration he worked as a Deputy Court Administrator for the Federal District Court in Albuquerque and the District Court in Las Cruces, and also as an Affirmative Action Officer for New Mexico Tech in Socorro. In addition to his career he also served four years as a Lieutenant in the Army National Guard.

His hobbies were spending time with family and friends, visiting museums, watching his favorite TV shows, and reading books. He especially liked reading books about the history of New Mexico and World War II, and was proud of the fact that his father served during World War II on the U.S.S. Pennsylvania. Michael resided in New Mexico most of his life but lived for the past 15 years in Texas near his daughter and grandson. He was a loving dad and grandfather and will always be sorrowfully missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, his grandfather Domiciano Jaramillo, grandmother Cleotilde (Sanchez) Jaramillo, grandmother Josephine 'Gramita' (Montoya) Martinez, and several aunts, uncles, and first cousins from the Martinez family and Jaramillo family. He is survived by his two sisters, his uncle Bennie Martinez, daughter Judy Welch and husband Doug, grandson John Michael Welch, niece Brittney DeBuck, his nephews; Steven Martinez, Joseph Martinez, Michael Sedillo, Eric Martinez Madrid; and several first cousins from the Martinez family and Jaramillo family.

Services will be held in Las Vegas, NM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Rosary on October 29th at 6pm and Funeral Mass on October 30th at 9am. Burial following the mass will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

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.

Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.