Nasario G. Martinez Jr.

Nasario G. Martinez JR. age 78 a long time Sunnyside resident passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Everett, Washington on April 1, 2022

The eldest son of Nasario and Santos Gutierrez Martinez was born on January 20, 1944 in McAllen, Texas. The Martinez Family migrated across the country working the fields from one state to the next, picking cotton, fruits and vegetables. As the oldest son, Nasario was responsible for taking care of his siblings and working alongside his parents and uncles. Nasario went to school when he could, but only attended classes to the 6th grade. He continued working full time and learned the tricks of many different trades along the way. The hard, tiring and uncertain journey in his early years provided him the determination he needed to move toward new goals, everything he learned and accomplished was the result of discipline, love and loyalty for this family, his dream to succeed encapsulated in self-confidence. In his late teens Nasario came across an opportunity to work on the Railroad, he continued to help supporting his family while following his desire to move away from agriculture. “JR” as he was affectionately known was a member of Laborers Local 348 from 1967-1997 where he worked as a Union Laborer in the Construction and Railroad industries. He traveled up and down the Pacific Northwest working on several different Railroad tracks for many years. He worked on site at Hanford as well, obtaining several different certifications throughout his career there.

Nasario was always called on by family and friends, and he felt honored to help especially when it came to working on a family member’s home or any project, from setting the forms and foundation to raising the walls and nailing down the last shingle. He was happy to answer that call, and he did so with pride for his craft. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to help family and friends.

Nasario’s favorite sport was Boxing, he shared that passion with his younger brother Jose, training with him and traveling across the Pacific Northwest to the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions as his corner man in the 1970’s. Nasario is also remembered by others for this active role as a trainer at the Lower Valley Boxing Club in Outlook in the 1980’s. He could sit and chat about these memories for hours, he remembered each fighter fondly. Another notable memory was  walking into the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, shaking hands with THE Freddie Roach, hitting the speed bag and talking like longtime friends about Freddie’s own career as a fighter back when he came to  box in  Everett Washington.

Nasario married Gloria Ibarra on Oct. 17, 1983 and together they raised their three children on Walnut Avenue in Sunnyside. In 2006 Nasario & Gloria retired to Everett Washington to join their adult children and to help raise their first born grandson Manny and later their first and only granddaughter Marisa whom he lovingly referred to as “La Girlsy”. Most recently his life was richly blessed yet again, with two new grandsons, Joseph and Nasario IV whose love, giggles and hugs brought him tremendous joy, giving him two more reasons to live one more day. If you knew him, you know that “GRANDPA” is his most treasured title. His life revolved around his grandkids, one of his proudest and most cherished periods in life was coaching Manny’s Little League Baseball team with his Son in Law Guy in 2015, with their team making it to the Championship game in their Division. Just weeks before his passing, he celebrated his newest namesakes 1st birthday, another cherished milestone reached.

Nasario loved spending time outdoors, anywhere under the sun was his happy place and you could find him if you listened for his whistle. He especially loved listening to his favorite music, singing loud and proud while drinking a ‘cold one’ and reminiscing on the days of old. Nasario was the life of the party, there was always cause to celebrate in his eyes. Eventually his body forced him to slow down, but his sweet soul was still running the bases at full speed, until gradually it all came together and his heart idled until finally giving out peacefully. We find comfort in knowing that his spirit will live on forever so long as we continue to honor his memory.

Nasario is survived by his devoted wife of nearly forty years, Gloria, his daughter Minerva (Guy) Molina, sons Nasario (Maria) and Martin Martinez all of Everett Washington.

Nasario was grateful for those who accompanied him through the last year of his life, the daily calls and visits brought him great joy, peace of mind and left him feeling fulfilled.  Nasario & Gloria are thankful for his sisters, Carmen (Felix) Barrera, Rachel (Ray) Romero, Maria (Terry) Alaniz, Lina Gutierrez and Irene (Luis) Sanchez, his brothers Frank (Margaret), Homer (Maria), Sister in law Mary Martinez of Quincy, Roy Martinez and especially Jose (San Juana),  whose house he lovingly referred to as ‘Home’ whenever he came back to visit Sunnyside. Nasario is also survived by other adult children from a previous marriage; Miguel & Mariana and siblings; Rosa, Mary, Sandra, Rudy (Elvia) Martinez as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Nasario Martinez SR and Santos of Sunnyside, his brother Johnny Martinez of Quincy and nephew, Daniel David Martinez of Spokane. A very special thanks to our friends at Providence Hospice of Everett.

Nasario’s wife Gloria, together with their children and grandchildren, invite friends & neighbors to join them on Friday May 20, 2022, 6 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside for a Recitation of the Holy Rosary and on Saturday May 21st at 2 p.m. for a Memorial Luncheon hosted by the family, details to follow at Friday evening services.

Those wishing to sign Nasario's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements

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