Sammy Martinez

SALT LAKE CITY — Salvador ‘Sammy’ Martinez, 88, died Thursday, July 1, 2010, at his home with his family by his side. He was born Dec. 31, 1921, in Cokedale, Colo. He married Margret “Maggie” Gomez on April 14, 1948, in Elko, Nev. Their first child, Kathleen, was born March 18, 1949, in Rock Springs. They moved to Salt Lake City and had five more children. Martinez worked for the Salt Lake City water department for 20 years. Around 1965, he and his wife returned to Rock Springs, where he worked for FMC corporation and retired in 1985. He was also a past worthy president for the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Salt Lake City. His interests included gatherings, where his family would come to his home and his wife would make homemade authentic Mexican food. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margret Martinez of Rock Springs; four daughters, Linda and Tom Chavez, Diane and Kim Archibeque of Salt Lake City, Rose and Richard Bergandi of Rock Springs and Cynthia and Larry Powell of Mesquite, Nev.; son, Max and Ellena Martinez of Green River; sister, Edna Ahu of Sacramento, Calif.; 19 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen Martinez; three sisters, Rose Hernandez, Mable Lopez and Stella Lamorie; two brothers, Johnny Martinez and Ben Martinez; and several nieces and nephews. A Catholic rosary will be conducted at 6 p.m. Monday, July 5, 2010, at the Neil O’Donnell & Sons Mortuary, 372 E. 100 S., Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at the Sacred Heart Church, 174 E. 900 S., Salt Lake City.