Kenneth Robert Martinez's Obituary
Kenneth Robert Martinez aka “Canuto”
Born January 26, 1947
Departure to Heaven November 20, 2024, at the age of 77
Ken was born on January 26, 1947, to Lucio and Priscilla Martinez at Mercy Hospital at 2.44AM, Ken always told us the story of how the doctor was drunk and dropped him on his head! If you know Ken, he was a great storyteller and had a great sense of humor.
His parents were originally from Las Vegas and Rociada, New Mexico. Ken’s great, great grandparents settled in the Rociada area in the 1700’s. Ken spent every summer at the ranch with his parents and siblings Stephen, Michael, and Cynthia. Ken loved the ranch and shared that tradition with his children Robbie, Rebecca and Cara and his grandchildren also made annual trips to the ranch. The tradition lives on.
Ken attended Hoover High School in the 60’s and was drafted in the Army and served from April 1967 to August 1969. Ken was assigned to the 1st Airmobile Cavalry Division, in Vietnam. He participated in some of the most serious conflicts, Operation Pegasus and the Tet Offensive. When he returned to life in San Diego, he spent time with his family and his young son Kenneth Robert Martinez Jr. aka “Robbie”. Ken was a lifetime member of the Don Diego VFW 7420, he joined the VFW when he returned from Vietnam and participated on several committees. In 2008 he was invited to help work on the effort to build a veteran’s memorial in Logan Heights, it took several years but the monument stands today. Ken was a proud founding member of the Logan Heights Veterans Memorial, dedicated to honoring all veterans and was a 100% disabled veteran.
He later started working at North Island Naval Air Station, Coronado Ca. and started out as a mechanic and later advanced to a Journeyman Mechanic, became a crew leader on the Helo program and retired as an Aircraft Examiner on the F4 and F14 programs. Ken retired from North Island with a distinguished 33 years of service.
He loved to work in his shop and owned just about any tool you need; he was a very detail-oriented person and was meticulous about his vehicles and bikes. His last oldie car is his 1949 Suburban. He owned several vehicles from his first $60 car bought from the junk yard to his Mercedes and Harley Davidson bikes. He loved doing anything mechanically, especially with his grandsons.
He loved his family fiercely, he was our rock, our protector, advocate, and helper, always willing to help if his family or a friend was involved. No job was too hard, he was the fixer and investigator. He made things happen! Ken was a man of exceptional faith in God, he was a generous and positive person. He was the absolute best and loving husband, father, brother, grandpa, and friend. We know he will be watching over us, guiding us and keeping us safe.
Ken leaves his wife Rosalie of 43 years, children Rebecca Martinez, Cara Martinez-Yeo, son-in-law Ismael Yeo, grandsons Kaleb Martinez, Ismael Francisco Yeo, Guillermo Valentino Yeo, Bransen Martinez, sister Cynthia Barclay, cousins Jim and Barbara Atencio.
Ken’s parents Lucio and Priscilla Martinez, brothers Stephen, Michael and son Robbie preceded him in death.
Services will be held at Greenwood Memorial – Salli Lynn Chapel, 4300 Imperial Ave., San Diego, Ca. 92113 on December 27th at 2pm.
Reception to follow at 3829 36th Street, San Diego, Ca. 92104
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