SALVADOR HUIZAR MARTINEZ

Salvador Huizar Martinez, the fifth child born to Francisco and Juanita Huizar Martinez in Miles, Texas, on Christmas Day 1925, joined them on March 1, 2008 surrounded by those whom he dearly loved. He left this earthly world, scarred, battered and worn, but unbroken. He will remain to us all, a hero, a testament of God-given bodily strength and courage. Rosary service will be March 3, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Robert Massie Funeral Home in San Angelo with nephew Deacon Arturo Casarez of Abilene presiding. Mass of Christian Burial will take place 10:00 a.m. on March 4, 2008 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Miles, Texas with the Reverend Maurice Voity officiating. Assisting Reverend Voity will be nephews Deacon Arturo Casarez, with Hector Mendez of Odessa. Xavier Joel Gonzales, stillborn son of Jennifer and Abraham Gonzales, will accompany his Great-Grandpa on the ride to Heaven. He will be laid to eternal rest in Miles Cemetery. Our Dad was master and owner of the most devilish sense of humor that made the rough and tough times of his life endurable. Early in his life, Salvador became recognized as a "Go-to" man. He made a countless number of friends scattered locally and throughout the western states where he traveled shearing many a sheep. When it was time to round up a group of men to take shearing, Salvador was the first and foremost person every "Capitan" looked for. He took pride in being known as one of the best and fastest sheep shearers of his time and shared with us many colorful stories of his days shearing. We will lovingly remember him recounting those special stories that always finished with his special brand of sardonic humor that lead us into rounds of seam-splitting laughter! He was definitely the life of any gathering. Although he was a top-notch shearer, he also was responsible for feeding the crew at camp. When he was at home he would bake us up a batch of his famous "pan de campo", the most delicious biscuit bread we ever tasted! He also put up miles and miles of fencing and was a self-taught mechanic. Back in that day, there wasn't a car or truck that he couldn't repair. He was the "Go-to" man that would make any car run and ask for little payment or nothing at all! For many years during the cotton-packing season, our dad was a valued employee of H J Kasberg Gin in Miles. He was an expert on the Press machine, attaching the metal strips around the burlap over the cotton bales. During the cotton pack, he was known for working long hours, even holding the record for working a 72- hour stretch with few breaks. When in need, Salvador was the "Go-to" man of the hour. He was known to come through in a pinch and if it was money that was needed, he'd give you every cent he had and if it wasn't enough, he'd take out a loan at the local bank if he had to. And there were many times that he had to, but he didn't balk at the thought of being in debt to help anyone in need. He was a selfless man and we never knew him to take pity on himself during hard times. On May 14, 1945, Salvador married Miss Esther Mendez at San Jose Mission in San Angelo. Along with extended family members, they would go from town to town picking cotton and caring for their young children in the fields. They had 11 children total, losing 3 infants and a grown son and raising the remainder in Miles. They were married 48 years until Mom's death in 1993. He remained in Miles until moving to Park Plaza Nursing Home in 2004. He lived quietly and thoughtfully there and we began to miss the mischief and the laughter of yesteryears but we are grateful for the one-on-one times we shared with him recalling old memories and/or making amends. The time with our parents went by much too quickly. Salvador will be greeted at The Gate by his Reina, Esther Martinez, parents, Francisco and Juanita, brothers, Andres, Frank, Gabriel and Luis Martinez and sisters, Cruz Lopez and Isabel Esquivel. Also his sons, Jesse, Alfredo and Robert Martinez and daughter Estela Martinez and great-grandson Xavier Gonzales. Left to mourn his passing are seven children, Carlos (Sonia) Martinez, Hortensia (Joe) Jacobo, Norma (Roland) Albarado, and Dora Martinez of San Angelo, Mario (Rosalinda) Martinez of Big Lake, Salvador Jr. (Holly) Martinez of Spring and Paul Martinez of Miles. Also surviving are 25 grand-children, Lisa Lopez, Laura Quintanilla, Carlo and Gabriel Martinez, Carlos, Anthony, and Vincent Martinez, Rachel Reese, Robert and Randy Martinez, Jennifer Gonzales, Malinda Guardado and Michael Martinez, Amanda Steiner, Aimee Belaire, Jackson and Alison Martinez, Adrianne Albarado and Brandi Hollis and Honorary Grandson, Gamaliel Saucedo, Sabrina Martinez and Haeli Taylor, Stephanie Perez and Jacob, Ashley and Paul Martinez Jr. and 29 Great-Grandchildren and 3 Great Great-Grandchildren. His surviving siblings include sisters, Maria Chavez, Lupe Mendez and Elena Ramon and brother Jesse Martinez. Also his sisters-in-law, Chelo Casarez and Elida Martinez and brother-in-law Daniel Mendez. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and many friends made during his lifetime. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Carlo Martinez, Robert Martinez, Gabriel Martinez Michael Ron Martinez, Jackson Martinez, and Grandson-in-law and frequent partner in crime, Danny Lopez. Honorary Pallbearer will be PJ Martinez. We love you Papi, Mi Apa and praise God that you are finally at rest. Only God knew how you could bear the pain of your last days. We will miss you and never forget you. Give our Mama our love. Asta luego!