Rudolph C. Martinez's Obituary
Rudolph C. Martinez
Born in San Antonio on March 9, 1947 died shortly after his 70th birthday on March 31, 2017.
Rudy was born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio and was proud to call himself a Harlandale High School graduate, Class of 1966.
His military career and his love of animals took him not only out of the Southside but to places he never knew he would see as a youngster. After graduation he enlisted in the US Army where he attended boot camp at Fort Ord, Monterey Bay, along the California coast line with the Pacific Ocean. He was part of the 7th Infantry Division at the main garrison for the Army which was a maneuver area and field artillery target range.
While in the Army Rudy attended Quartermaster School.at Fort Lee Virginia where he attended Parachute Packing Maintenance and Airdrop Training. He earned his Silver Wings jumping out of 747’s. When he got back home he got lots of extra experience packing parachutes especially when Michele and Monica would unpack his chute and play in it and with it. When the girls got put in time out Michele would start to sing Rudolph the red nose reindeer and Monica would join in with the chorus. Rudy would always yell at them to stop and go to bed.
If you knew Rudy well you knew he talked like a sailor true military colorful adjectives to express himself. I can remember when he lost his house shoes as my sister told the story he walked around the house saying where are the mf’ers. Then Michele still a baby found them first and ran to dad and said with pride here’s the mf’ers dad.
Rudy’s next adventure was with the National Guard where he did a six month stay on the Island of Barbados with Dr Batez and World Health Organization teaching animal care and rabies control He trained on the importance of vaccination .He and Dr Batez trained the locals on animal care and disease control. He loved his stay on Barbados. He saw and ate flying fish for the first time. He came back with lots of stories and every type of souvenir made of shells that he could find.
There was more to Rudy then his military career. His service to our country did take up a big part of his youth. He traveled to and served in California, Virginia, Georgia, El Paso, San Antonio, and Barbados. He retired as a Staff Sergeant and just a few of his accomplishment and awards were Sharpshooter, Marksman and Expert as his shooting abilities. He was also awarded his Silver Wings, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Texas Federal Service Medal, Texas Adjutant General’s Individual Award, Army Forces Reserve Medal. Made his mark servicing our country.
Once out of the military he continued to serve. He became a Mason and worked his way to the office of Worshipful Mastor the highest office for an individual in their lodge. The girls didn’t know the status the office held and to make sure their dad didn’t get a big head they changed the office title to the Grand Poo ba. He was always out number being the only male in the family. He also studied and work to becoming a member of the Scottish Rite, Alzafar Shrine and as if he didn’t have enough on his plate he became a member of the Knight of Columbus.
He was a great son and big brother he was always there for his family taking great care of his mom and dad. As the big brother he always had a helping hand and sound advised for his brothers. He took the responsibility of being the oldest seriously and made sure he was always only a phone call away no matter the day or the hour for not only his brothers but his nieces and nephew.
On my side of the family he was always there for his family being out number by women but he was a great dad and husband. His girls had lots of stories on his over protection and living in a military base home. They told me about the most embarrassing car horn he would horn if they made him wait too long to pick them up from the football games. He and my sister were married 48 years at the time of his death and where planning a party once they hit 50. So many stories they shared with me could make you laugh till you cry. He was also a great son in law, the only one my dad would know. Then spent endless times together and shared so much of life it was obvious he was accepted and loved by both my mother and
Father.
Then as luck would have it he became a grandfather to one granddaughter and two grandsons finally he got his boys and he treated all of them as if they were his natural born children. There was nothing he would not do for them or with them. He guided them each as best as he could with a goal he was still working on to get each of them to be strong independent respectful adults. He was looking forward to see Krystal graduate from UTSA next month. He enjoyed getting to be a great grandfather just a few months ago, again another girl.
I am not sure he left this world with all he wanted to do marked off his bucket list if he had one I do know he had a very good life. Not one without bumps and disappointment in it but Rudy tried not to dwell on disappointments. He started every day looking forward to the new day.
He passed away from effects cause by lung cancer. He beat it once and stayed cancer free for several years. Then like some cancer patients it came back. The last treatment he had was vigorous radiation that left damage to his throat and lungs. He was recently tested for cancer and was found to be cancer free but the damage to his lungs was reversible and after a very long strong fight he said no more and took his last breath and moved on to start his next adventure and he waits for us there.
Rudolph C Martinez Born on March 9, 1947 Survived by
His parents Vencelao and Mary Martinez
Brothers Luis Martinez, Jimmy Martinez ,Lupe Martinez and Fred Martinez
Wife Mary Helen Martinez
Children Monica Solano husband Joe Solano
Michele Martinez
Christina Martinez
Grandchildren
Krystal Solano
Michael Rudy Lopez
Christopher Mathew Lopez
Great Granddaughter Meleean Rose Lopez
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
Thank each of you for being here for Rudy and his family.
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