George Martinez, ex-miner, dies

George H. Martinez, a former miner and employee of Vail Associates, died Monday. He was 69. Martinez was born on Feb. 25, 1936 in Llano, N.M. His parents were the late Rosendo and Beronice Esquibel Martinez. Martinez grew up in Llano and attended Penasco High School. In 1956, he moved to Red Cliff where he went to work for the New Jersey zinc mine in Gilman. After 20 years of working at the mine, he retired and went to work for Vail Associates and then for City Market.

Martinez married Stella, his wife of 42 years, on Dec. 23 1960 in Minturn and they raised five children together.Friends and family members say Martinez loved sports of all kinds and attended the New Life Assembly of God. They say he also enjoyed being with the senior citizens of Minturn and spent much of his time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Martinez was preceded in death by his parents, Rosendo and Beronice Martinez.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Stella of Minturn; daughter Veronica Serna and her husband, Rudy, of Avon; his sons, George E. Martinez and his wife, Dolly, of Red Cliff, Michael R. Martinez, Norman D. Martinez, and Arnold M. Martinez and his wife, Christy, all of Minturn; and three sisters, Dorothy Medina and Tanya Gonzales of Red Cliff, and Felima Sanchez of Utah. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jeffrey, Modesta, Rudy, Jr. and Angelo Serna; Isaiah, Yolanda and Isaac Martinez; Stella Martinez; and Ezekiel and Elijah Martinez; six great-grandchildren: Elijah, Cordiaro, Gabe, Daja, Alyssa and Shaylene; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 5:30 p.m. today and 10 a.m., Thursday at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Avon. The private interment will be in River View Cemetery in Minturn. Pastor Dan Matney will officiate. Pallbearers will be Isaiah, Isaac and David Martinez, Jeffrey, Angelo and Rudy Serna, Jerry and Moises Medina.

Arrangements are being handled by Bailey Funeral Home in Leadville.Vail, Colorado