On August 28, 2021, at the age of 101, Virgilio “Virgil” Martinez of Questa, NM, went to be with the Lord. Virgil was a kindhearted Christian man, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The Celebration of Life service was held at the Living Word Ministries, on September 16. The burial was held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, on September 17.
In lieu of flowers, please send do-nations to Living Word Ministries in Questa, NM.
Virgil was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Rebecca Martinez, his parents Marcelino and Alfreda, his brothers Marcelino, Jose, and Gomersindo. He was born in Questa, NM, on May 21, 1920. Virgil went to the Moly Mine Camp School, Allison-James Middle School, and graduated from Menaul High School. He served in the US Army Air Corp during WWII as a flight surgeon assistant. Upon returning, Virgil continued his education at Stanford University, the University of Arizona, and received his masters at the University of Denver.
Virgil married Ruth on August 24, 1941, at El Buen Pastor Church in Ques-ta. They lived in El Paso, Walsenburg, Denver, and Albuquerque. He taught at Albuquerque High School for over 30 years. After retiring, they moved to Questa, and he became owner of the El Seville Restaurant, the Sangre de Cristo Motel, and the Questa Lodge.
He is survived by his brother: Fred Martinez, (Albuquerque, NM), children: Yolanda (Richard) Gabriel, (Questa, NM), Elizabeth (Gerald) Haley, (Alexandria, MN), Rebecca (John) Holland-er, (Buckeye, AZ), Virgil Martinez Jr., (Questa, NM). Grandchildren: Richard (Greg) Gabriel Jr., (Tijeras, NM), Wendy Mascarenas, (Hillsboro, OR), Tania Garcia, (Simi Valley. CA), Erin (Nick) Strub, (Bloomington, MN), Allyson (Jon) Loewe, (Hudson, WI), Heather (Tyson) Kniker, (Odessa, FL), Lindsay DaSilva, (Perrysburg, OH), Jonathan Hollander, (Buckeye, AZ), and Rachel Martinez, (Brea, CA). Great-grandchildren: Brittany, Adrian, Drew, Haley, Emilia, Wilson, Natalie, and Sienna.
In May of this year The Questa Del Rio News helped celebrate Virgil’s 101st birthday; please see article on page 16 at https://questanews.com/may-2021-pdf/
