Cruz Martinez (Martinez) Castillo

Cruz Martinez Castillo, born May 3, 1923, passed away on July 28, 2021. Cruz had been a resident at Baptist Retirement Center where she had a close circle of friends. She was known for her positive outlook on life and her love of music, in particular mariachi music. Her legacy to her son was her credo that charity to those less fortunate is a universal obligation.

She was raised on the Tweedy Ranch near San Angelo, Texas where her father Bernabe Martinez had been the ranch foreman for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy C. Castillo who died on March 26, 2013, and by her brothers: Eli, Barney and Paul Martinez. She was interred in Knickerbocker, Texas in the family plot.

Cruz and Roy were married on October 28, 1942 in Knickerbocker, Texas with wedding festivities held at the Tweedy Ranch. During Roy's U.S. Army service in World War II, Cruz assisted her father-in-law, Amado Castillo, with his grocery store operations. Later, Roy and Cruz purchased L.W. Puckitt's water drilling and irrigation company and renamed it, Pump Service and Supply Company.

As the principals of Pump Service and Supply, they successfully operated the business until it was sold in 2010. Throughout West Texas, Roy was recognized as the "pump" expert to go to for quality and dependable water delivery service for farmers, ranchers and major oil companies in West Texas, Northern Mexico and New Mexico. Cruz served as the office manager of the business.

Cruz is survived by numerous nephews and nieces as well as one son, A. (Amado) Mario Castillo and his spouse, David N. Hutchison. Fondly regarded by Mario for the loving care provided to his mother are Maxine Hobbs, the BRC staff and Cruz's niece, Kathy Hernandez of Houston, Texas who was unwavering in her love and care for Cruz.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts' "mariachi program" or the West Texas Boys Ranch. Pallbearers were A. Mario Castillo, David N. Hutchison, Rene Alvarado, Rosendo Ramos, Mike Mitchell, Jr., and Chase Holland.