Louie R. Martinez of Ventura, CA was greeted by his heavenly Father on March 31, 2018 at the age of 93.
Louie was born January 2, 1925 in El Paso, TX, the eldest son of Mary Martinez. Louie’s family moved early on to New Mexico where he grew up shaped by the Great Depression and WWII. The experiences of the time had a defining influence upon Louie and how he viewed the world around him. These experiences guided his decisions on how to provide for his future and family.
In 1943 Louie joined the US Army, became an expert marksmen and was deployed to the South Pacific as part of the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 6th US Army, building air strips for the elite fighters of the day. Louie’s deployment took him to New Guinea on the islands of Aitape, Wakde-Toern and, Noernfoor and, in the Philippines on Mindoro, Luzon and, Leyte. There he fought bravely surviving three beachhead landings under fire, destroying an enemy tank and manninga 20mm cannon during a Kamikaze attack.
In early 1946, after a tour of occupation in Japan, Louie returned to the US and shortly thereafter met Rose Montano the love of his life and future Mrs. Martinez. They moved to California in 1948 to begin a new life together. Louie’s enterprising efforts opened the doors to many opportunities. He ran a business in Duarte, CA for over 30 years in pool maintenance. Louie was active in community service and joined the newly incorporated city on their city traffic and safety commission. A volunteer position that worked on planning and safety for the citizens of this newly found city.
Louie retired in 1987 and moved to the city of Ventura in 1997, with more time to devote to his interests, to his wife Rose, and to traveling to visit his grandchildren and helping at church.
One of his life dreams was to fly in a WWII fighter and his family, with support of the Chino Air Museum was able to give Louie the gift of a once in a lifetime flight in a P-51 Mustang warbird. Having qualified as a gunner for Army Air Corp aircraft, Louie continued his keen interest enjoying building military aircraft models and visiting many of the air museums in SoCal. He was a life member of March AFB Air Museum.
Louie lead a life filled with joy that he shared with all he met. This joy is remembered by his Son’s Lee and his wife Donna, Larry and his wife Michelle, Lloyd and his wife Karen and his only daughter Rosebud Hatch and her husband Gene including 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Remembrances can be sent in Louie’s honor to the Cancer Hope Foundation, 568 Constitution Ave,Camarillo, CA 93012 (805) 348-5445.
A Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 in the Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 3175 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 am; a Reception following Mass.
Arrangements are under the care of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura.