Esteban Martinez Jr. Obituary (1934 - 2023)

Esteban "Steve" Martinez Jr., 89, of Texas City, Texas gained his wings on October 31, 2023. Steve was born on October 1, 1934, in Rockport, Texas, to Esteban Martinez Sr. and Martha Garcia Martinez. During his thirty-seven years in Rockport, he met and fell in love with Angelina "Angie" Sanchez. Their love story began when he noticed her taking a stroll and decided to ask her to the school dance. In April of 1953, Steve enlisted into the United States Army where he was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany as well as New York and remained active duty until April 1956. Upon his return from the military, a relationship with Angie blossomed. Their love escalated quickly and resulted in marriage after just three months of dating. Less than a year into their marriage, the happy couple welcomed their first child; a baby girl named Belinda. Soon thereafter they welcomed two more children; another daughter named Genevieve and a son named Gilbert. All of their children were three years and two months apart. In 1971, Steve received a job offer from AMOCO Oil Refinery and packed up his family of five and relocated to Texas City. Steve was a dedicated welder at Amoco Oil and retired after twenty-five years of service. Steve and Angie loved to travel and went on an abundance of trips during their sixty-one years of marriage. Traveling all over the country was not out of the ordinary for the Martinez family. They've visited Niagara Falls, New York, Lake Tahoe, Dollywood, Canada, California, and just about all of the southern states - just to name a few. In December of 1976, their first grandchild, Tiffany, was born and she became the third amigo in their travel adventures. Six years later, a second granddaughter named Natalie arrived. A mere twenty-two months later, their first grandson, Robert, Jr. (Robbie for short) was welcomed to the family. As they got older, their lives began revolving around their grandchildren. Traveling with the grandkids was on the top of their list of favorite things to do. They even purchased a pop-up camper so all of the kids could be included in making wonderful memories. In August 1996, their first great-grandson, Raymond, was born. Raymond was very special to Mr. & Mrs. Martinez because he was somewhat their 4th child. Steve and Angie helped Natalie raise Raymond because they wanted to make sure he didn't have a want or need for anything in life, and they definitely kept their word. They both supported Raymond until the days of their passing. Seven years later, in 2003, their only great-granddaughters, Makaela & Alexis were added to their growing family. And last, but surely not least, the final two boys of the great grandchildren arrived in 2018 & 2021. Armando III and Alejandro Angelino completed our family. Steve and Angie received their biggest heartbreak in April of 2006. Their only son, Gilbert, passed away. twelve years later, in March of 2018, Angie passed away. Steve lived out the rest of his days creating traditions and memories with both of his daughters, his three grandchildren, and his five great-grandchildren. Steve is preceded in death by parents, Esteban Martinez Sr. and Martha Garcia Martinez, many siblings, wife Angelina Sanchez Martinez, son Gilbert Martinez, and son-in-law Chris Mosakowski. He is survived by brother, Richard (Rosie) Martinez; sister, Alicia (Ramon) Romero; daughters, Belinda (Bobby) Blume and Genevieve Mosakowski; son-in-law, Robert Herrera Sr.; grandchildren, Tiffany Swain, Natalie (Armando) De Leon, and Robert (Alba) Herrera Jr.; great-grandchildren, Raymond Herrera, Makaela Toliver, Alexis Herrera, Armando De Leon III, & Alejandro De Leon, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members. Pallbearers include Robert Herrera, Sr., Robert Herrera, Jr., Raymond Herrera, Armando De Leon, Jr., Robert Blume and Dominic Clay. Honorary pallbearers are Armando De Leon III and Alejandro De Leon.