Abenicio Martinez

Abenicio "Ben" Martinez of Bandera, passed away on July 12,2020 in Bandera Texas . He was born in Yeso, New Mexico to Jose Angel Martinez and Ramona Baca Martinez on January 9, 1937. He married Janie Jilpas. \r\n\r\nHe went to Rocky Ford High School in Rocky Ford, Colorado and graduated from Chapman University in Orange, California. He worked as an IT supervisor for USDA Forest Service for 20 years. Ben was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served 21 years in the Army. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm , 2 Purple Hearts , Combat Infantry Badge, and many more. He was involved in VFW, MAGA Golf Association and the Knights of Columbus.\r\n \r\nBen is preceded in death by Jose Angel Sr, Ramona, Flora, Ralph & Jose Angel Jr. \r\n\r\nBen is survived by wife Janie Jilpas;daughter,Abrielle & husband Bobby;stepchildren, Jennifer,Jessamy and husband Derek,Juan and wife Zendy and his first kids Jeff, Mona and Charles;twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.\r\n \r\nA Viewing will be Saturday, July 18, 2020, 11:00 to 3:00 pm following with a Rosary, starting at 3:00 pm at Grimes Funeral Chapels, Bandera, Texas.\r\n\r\nA private burial will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on July 22 at 10:45 am. Because of COVID19, only immediate family may attend. You can watch the funeral service on Facebook live. Search Ben Martinez Memorial Group then join. \r\n\r\nPallbearers will be: nephew David , great nephews Arthur,Matthew and Maxwell,nephew Ronnie and son-in-law Bobby. \r\n\r\nThe family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "send condolences" link. \r\nFuneral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera, Texas.\r\n\r\n