Abel Martinez
Marriages
June Chacon
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3C Death Notice - January 15, 2011
Abel Martinez, 79, Grand Junction, died Jan. 14, 2011, at Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
Burial will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.
He was a police officer.
He is survived by his wife, June; two sons, David T. of Whitewater and Abel A. of Grand Junction; two daughters, Christine Pedersen of Allen, Kan., and Anna Garcia of Cedaredge; two brothers, Norberto of Salt Lake City and Albert of Grand Junction; two sisters, Rose Gomez and Noemi Martinez, both of Grand Junction; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Hospice Program, 2121 North Ave., Grand Junction 81501.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6A - January 19, 2011
Same obituary as published January 18, 2011
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B - January 18, 2011
Abel Martinez January 28, 1931 – January 14, 2011 Abel Martinez passed away on Friday, January 14th, after losing a courageous and lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis. He was affectionately known as "Papa" to his family and close friends, and anyone who met him found him to be a loving and generous man. Many adopted him as their own Papa. Papa was born in Questa, NM to Alberto and Maria Urcinia Martinez, and had three brothers and three sisters. The family moved to Colorado when he was a teenager where he graduated from Appleton High School. He was drafted into the Army and saw combat on the front lines of the Korean Conflict. As a medic he saved many and endured severe conditions. He had a career as a police officer at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center. After he left the Army he met and married his beautiful wife June Chacon. They were married for 57 years. Papa had four children, David (Cindy) Martinez of Whitewater, CO; Christine (Don) Pedersen of Allen, KS; Anna (Jim) Garcia of Cedaredge, CO, and Abel (Carol) Martinez of Grand Junction. He had eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Although Papa endured the ravages of multiple sclerosis for much of his adult life, he never complained. He was always more concerned about the wellbeing and comfort of others. He was most happy when he was surrounded by his family. He loved being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Papa will be missed by all that knew him. The family would like to thank the Hospice program at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center.Memorial contributions can be made to the program in lieu of flowers. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 19th, at 11:00 a.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.
