OBIT – Romulo D. Martinez Jr.

McALLEN – Former Sharyland I.S.D. superintendent, Romulo D. Martinez Jr., 90, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, at his home in McAllen.     

Mr. Martinez was born in Peñitas and graduated from La Joya High school. As a Boy Scout, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in two years. Later, he served his country during World War II and was stationed in Korea. After the war, Mr. Martinez attended Edinburg Junior College and then transferred, earning a degree at the University of Texas.

In September 2000, the Romulo D. Martinez Elementary School in Sharyland I.S.D. was dedicated in his honor. In November of that year, he and his wife, Becky, and their five children were recognized as a Distinguished Family by the UTPA Alumni Association.

Although best known as an educator, he was active in the Catholic Church and community, where he taught C.C.D. classes and was a Eucharistic minister.         

He served on the board of directors for Kiwanis for over 30 years. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Romulo and Maria G. Martinez, and siblings, Lydia Schaffer, Baudelia Rosales, Roberto Martinez, Gloria Tijerina and Elma Brink.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rebecca P. Martinez; children, Romulo D. Martinez III, Sandy Martinez-Fulton, Cynthia Elizabeth Monaco, Rebecca Eileen Weber and David H. Martinez; and 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass was held on Nov. 22 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission. Burial will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

Serving as pallbearers were Romulo D. Martinez III, David H. Martinez, Lio Garcia, Lucas Cuevas, Christopher Martinez and Travis Weber. Honorary pallbearers included Arnoldo Garza, Tommy Monaco and Ben Weber.