Judge Oscar O. Martinez Sr.

Judge Oscar O. Martinez Sr.

March 2, 1941 – September 20, 2025

Judge Oscar O. Martinez Sr., 84, joined our Lord in His heavenly kingdom on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Judge Oscar Omar Martinez was born in Laredo, Texas, on March 2, 1941, to the late Arnulfo and Adela Martinez. He attended St. Joseph’s Academy and graduated from Martin High School in 1959. He attended Laredo Junior College and Texas A & I University in Kingsville. Oscar served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1969. He is a graduate of the Texas Realtors Institute.

Oscar began a career in sales for KGNS Radio, part of the Don Ray Media Group. In 1965, Oscar ventured into self-employment, setting up Martinez Brothers’ Gulf Service Station at the corner of Lafayette and IH-35. He sold the business in 1970 and became a sales associate for Salinas Realty Company until 1977. In November 1977, Oscar started his own real estate agency, Border Realty.

Judge Martinez was appointed Justice of the Peace Precinct Four by the Webb County Commissioners’ Court in 1991. He was re-elected to the position in 1992, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010. During his tenure as Justice of the Peace, he served as director of the South Texas Justice of the Peace and Constable Association and was co-founder of the Texas Court Judges Association. He was recognized numerous times by the United Independent School District. He initiated many programs to help combat truancy and disciplinary problems in the schools, such as Parents’ Against Crime, Graffiti Clean-up Program with the City of Laredo Code Enforcement, City and County Youth Groups under the direction of Roy Garcia, and the City of Laredo Code Enforcement Unit. In 2010, Judge Oscar Martinez was approached by a young Border Patrol agent and was advised that Border Patrol wanted to get involved in a program that would help the youth of our community. Soon after, Border Patrol Laredo Sector and Judge Oscar O. Martinez started the R.E.A.L. Mission Program (Rewarding, Education, Attitude, & Leadership) for at-risk students attending United Independent School District schools in the northern area of Laredo. This program existed for four years in Laredo and was so productive that it was expanded to five school districts in the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso.

He was an active member of St. Patrick Church since its inception in 1970 and was a member of the St. Patrick’s Men’s Club and the Knights of Columbus.

Judge Martinez was very involved in community service. He served as District 14 Director of LULAC and President of LULAC #12 in 1991 and 1992. He was co-founder of LULAC’s Señor Internacional Recognition Program, and founder of LULAC’s “Lo Mejor De Lo Nuestro” award. Judge Martinez was an active member of LULAC for over 42 years and received numerous awards as well as Presidential Citations for his dedication to LULAC. LULAC named him “Tejano Achiever” in 2001 and “Lo Mejor De Lo Nuestro” in 2001. Judge Martinez was also recognized for his commitment to the youth of our community in the fight against drugs. He dedicated most of his life to our youth through his participation in programs aimed at improving the lives of our young people. Judge Martinez, together with Judge Jesus Garza, initiated the Youth Village program, and it was made a reality by Webb County Commissioners’ Court and Judge Ben Morales. Judge Martinez was recognized by the Laredo Noon Rotary Club for “Service Above Self” in 2003, and by the Young Generation Rotary Club as an “Unsung Hero” in 2013. The Laredo Webb County Bar Association awarded him the “Liberty Bell” in 2007, and he was “Tiger Legend” in 2006.

Judge Martinez was the past director of the Laredo Fair and Exposition (L.I.F.E.) and co- chairman of the Laredo Fair and Exposition Buyer’s Committee, a position he held for many years. All L.I.F.E. projects bought by Judge Martinez and his contributors were then donated to Sacred Heart Children’s Home. The board of directors of the Laredo International Fair and Exposition recognized his commitment to the youth of our community during his 44 years of service to the fair in 2008 by naming him “Rancher of the Year.”

Judge Martinez served as director of J.T.P.A., which is now known as the South Texas Workforce Commission, for 15 years. He was initially appointed as director by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, re-appointed by Governor Ann Richards in 1991, and again by Governor George W. Bush. Judge Martinez enjoyed ranching as a hobby and spent all his spare time at the family ranch, Santa Teresa, in the community of Ramireno in Zapata County. Judge Oscar O. Martinez stands on his record and commitment to the citizens and youth of Precinct Four. Judge Martinez retired on December 31, 2014, after 24 years of service. The following year Congressman Henry Cuellar recommended that the Webb County Precinct 4 Justice Center be named after him in his honor, and that is how it is named today.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Arnulfo and Adela Martinez.

Judge Martinez was a devoted husband, father and fantastic grandfather. He leaves behind a lasting legacy, and his memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 60 years of marriage, Velma Gutierrez Martinez and his three children. Angela Geraldine “Geri” (Ryan) Abdallah, Oscar O. (Eileen) Martinez, Jr., Velma Christine (Apolinar) Navarro; grandchildren, Cosme D. (Alina) Casas, Michael Fallon Abdallah, Jacob Abdallah, Ana Christine (Antonio Oviedo) Navarro and Oscar Omar “Trip” Martinez III; siblings, Teresa (Guadalupe †) Saenz, Jaime Javier (Irene) Martinez, Rosa Maria (Dr. Enrique) Benavides; sisters and brothers in law, Lilia (Larry) Turner, Elia Hilda (Dr. Zaragoza) Martinez, Dr. Santiago (Linda) Gutierrez, and Rolando (Deidra) Gutierrez. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews other loving relatives and many friends.

The family will be receiving condolences on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd. A Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Mass times are currently pending at this time.

A Private Cremation will be held at a later date.

Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Air Force and the Laredo Veterans Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be: Cosme D. Casas, Fallon Abdallah, Jacob Abdallah, Ana C. Navarro, Oscar O. Martinez III, Antonio Oviedo, Dr. Enrique Benavides III and Hector Benavides.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Baldomero A. Puig, Guillermo Garcia, Jose Salvador Tellez, Ernesto Garcia, Dr. Joe Garcia and Jose Zapata.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to: Dr. Joe A. Garcia his personal physician and all the nurses and staff at La Frontera Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as well as Nurses on Wheels for taking such good care of Oscar. Thank you to Ricky, Luis, Jessica, Charlie, Marta, AnaKaren, Adriana, Jackie, Nora Clarissa and Valeria. They would also like to thank his home caregiver, Maria Hernandez.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider making a donation to: Sacred Heart Children’s Home and the Bethany House.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.