06/19/2018 - Pedro "Pete" Martinez

A Mass of Christian Burial for 94-year old Pedro "Pete" Martinez will be Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Edgemont, SD, with Father Grant Gerlach officiating.

Committal services will follow at the Edgemont Cemetery in Edgemont.

A Vigil will be held Monday night, June 18, 2018, at 7:00 p-m, also at St. James Catholic in Edgemont.

Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD, is in charge of arrangements for Pedro "Pete Martinez.

Pedro “Pete” Martinez was born April 4, 1924, in Mission, TX to Isabel Martinez and Valeria Ruvio and died June 11, 2018, at Highland Park Care Center in Alliance, NE.

He married Inez Valades on October 18, 1951, at St. James Catholic Church in Edgemont, South Dakota. To this union nine children were born.

Pete was a hard-working man. He was a World War II veteran in the United States Army. He was employed by CB&Q and Burlington Northern railroads most of his adult life. He was a laborer and a track foreman for 40 years before retiring from Burlington Northern in 1984.

Pete moved to Alliance, NE, in 2012. He was proud of his heritage and visited Mexico almost every year prior to his retirement from the railroad. He believed in helping people, was a jokester, and loved to dance and sing.

Pete was involved in the VFW, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Senior Citizens, Edgemont Lions Club -  including holding the President position - and a member of the St. James Catholic Church.

Pete is survived by his wife; Inez Martinez of Chadron, NE; sons, Mick (Jenell) Martinez of Alliance, NE; Rueben Martinez of Broomfield, CO;  Andrew (Jennifer) Martinez of Vermillion, SD;  Tony (Cindy) Martinez of Shiner, TX;  James, Ph.D. (Quiana) Martinez of Valdosta, GA; daughters,  Frances (Julius) Gonzalez of Chadron, NE;  Juanita (Jose’) Sousa of Broomfield, CO; daughter In-law,  Leanna Martinez-Bussell.

He is also survived by 12  grandchildren, Tracy (Jay) Byer of Phoenix, AZ;  Kelli (Jerry) Hamaker of Phoenix, AZ;  Air National Guard Major Rob (Lana) Martinez of Des Moines, IA;  Ricky Martinez of Lincoln, NE;  Danita (Brian) Johanneck of Houston, TX;  Angie (Steve) Martinez Grande of Minneapolis, MN;  Andrea (Chris) Williams of Houston, TX;  Madisen and Brady Martinez of Vermillion, SD;  Nicole Schwab of Rockport, TX;  Jessica Schwab of Victoria, TX;  Elana & Gabriel Martinez of Valdosta, GA; Michael & Ryan Martinez of Denver, CO; and 6 great grandchildren, Faith Hess of Lincoln, NE;  Mitchell & Morgan Kaus of  Phoenix, AZ;  Garrett, Taylor & Courtney Hamaker of Phoenix, AZ;  Lucia & Felix Johanneck of Houston, TX;  Hayli, Makenzi, Charlotte & Olivia Martinez of  Des Moines, IA;  along with numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Pete Martinez was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Andrew and Daniel Martinez; two sisters and two brothers.