Calixto Martinez

Calixto Heredia Martinez, age 78 of Hagerman, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2014. A rosary service is scheduled for Friday, January 2, 2015 at 6:00 P. M. The funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, January 3 at 11:00 A. M. followed by internment at Hagerman Cemetery. Both rosary and funeral mass held at Saint Catherines Church in Hagerman.

Known to many as Cliff, he was a proud Hagerman resident for many years. Cliff was born October 13, 1936 and attended elementary school in Redford, Texas. Cliff moved to Hagerman in 1952 shortly after graduating from Presidio High School in Presidio, Texas. As a young man he was hired as a butcher for the Valley Grocery Market. Cliff worked for two more Valley Grocery owners until 1972, when he and his wife Viola purchased the business. For the next 34 years, he and Viola operated the business and until their retirement in March 2004. Cliff was locally famous for the rotisserie chickens and spare ribs cooked in his meat market.

As a member of Saint Catherines Catholic Church he served as president of the Saint Catherines Mens Club, Eucharistic Minister, member of Knights of Columbus and representative to the Roswell Vicariate Council. He also served as a local Boy Scout troop leader, Little League Baseball Coach and was a proud participant in the Hagerman Panthers mens baseball team. As a member of the Hagerman Volunteer Fire Department he served as fireman, ambulance driver and EMT. Cliff was a longtime member of the Hagerman Lions Club. Cliff elected to the Hagerman Town Council in 1978 and served as councilor until appointed as the Mayor of Hagerman in 1983. He served as the Mayor of Hagerman until 1994. Cliff was honored as the Grand Marshall for the 2012 Hagerman Old Timers Day celebration.

Even with all these activities, Cliff found the energy and time to lovingly raise 3 sons and one daughter. He and his wife celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on December 27, 2014. Cliff was a loving husband, father, fatherinlaw, grandfather, brother and uncle. Cliff enjoyed a good oneline joke, watching baseball, playing a competitive game of pool and cheering for the Hagerman Bobcats. He loved the Lord, his family and his community. Cliff was a kind man who will be remembered for his cheerful personality.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Viola sons Edward and wife Martha of Las Cruces, Robert and wife Vangie of Lubbock, Texas, Alfred and wife Barbara of Gallup and daughter Christina and husband Charles of Hagerman. Also surviving him are his sisters Delfina Stefhon, Rummy Green and husband Ralph of Hagerman, brother Rick Martinez and wife Liz of Lubbock. Cliff was blessed with grandchildren Mauricia Zoar and husband Jeff and their children Levi and Olivia, Gabrielle Martinez, Dr. Robert Martinez Jr. and wife Ashley, Rebekka Martinez and her daughter Izabella, Jeffrey Martinez, Jonathon Martinez, Eric Martinez and wife Lynda and their children Michael and Eric Jr., Andrew WakeSelf Martinez and Dominic Martinez.

Cliff is preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Nicolasa Martinez, and infant sister Delfina.

Pallbearers are Alfred Martinez, Dominic Martinez, Gabrielle Martinez, Rebekka Martinez, Jeffrey Martinez, Rick Martinez and Matthew Martinez. Honorary pallbearers are Mauricia Zoar, Eric Martinez, Andrew Martinez, Dr. Robert Martinez Jr. and Jonathon Martinez.

The family of Calixto Martinez expresses sincere appreciation for all those who extended kindness to him during his illness and for the care provided to him by the staff of Casa Maria and Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, Pam Krull and Betty Vale.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry, PO Box 247, Hagerman, New Mexico 88232.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, January 2, 2015
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Service

Rosary

St. Catherines
206 S. Texas
Hagerman, NM  88232
Friday, January 2, 2015
6:00 pm

Funeral Mass

St. Catherines
206 S. Texas
Hagerman, NM  88232
Saturday, January 3, 2015
11:00 am

Cemetery

Hagerman Cemetery
Hagerman, NM  88232

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 247
Hagerman, NM  88232