Frank J. Martinez, 73, of Big Spring, died on Thursday, July 4, 2002, in a local hospital. Vigil services will be at 7:00 PM Sunday, July 7, 2002 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Funeral mass will be at 2:00 PM Monday, July 8, 2002, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park. He was born on June 4, 1929 in Los Angeles, California and married Bernadette Hernandez in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Before joining the military, Frank graduated from Polytec High School in Los Angeles, California. He came to Big Spring in July of 1960 to work at Webb Air Force Base for the 3560 Pilot Training Wing. He served twenty-three years in the military. After retiring from the Air Force he worked eighteen years at the V.A. Hospital in the engineering department. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for many years and was a member of the St. Paul de Vincent Society. He volunteered for RSVP. Frank loved his church, serving others and his family. His love was contagious. He was a happy person and wanted everyone around him to be happy. He will be greatly missed by his wife, sons and family. Survivors include his wife, Bernadette Martinez of Big Spring; five sons and two daughters-in-law, Steven Martinez of Big Spring, Frank and Suzanne Martinez of New York, Richard Martinez of Austin, Anthony and Jackie Martinez of Houston and Dominic Martinez of Connecticut; two grandchildren, Joshua and Christian Martinez both of New York; two sisters, Peggy Contreras of Los Angeles, California and Bertha Martinez of San Francisco, California. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. The family suggests memorials to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1009 Hearn St., Big Spring, Texas, 79720. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. www.npwelch.com,
