Ignacio Martinez

The Rev. Ignacio Martinez, 83, of Bryan died Wednesday, April 9, 2008, in St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan.

Ignacio was born on July 1, 1924. He was the founder of Templo Sulamita Church and the pastor for more than 26 years, from 1965 to 1991. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, pastor and uncle. He will be greatly missed.

He married Elia (Mendez) Martinez in 1958 in San Antonio. He loved to read the Bible, do carpentry, work on cars and build guitars. He helped the needy, anyone who came to his house would be given clothing, food and anything they needed.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, daughter, Minerva Martinez, and grandson, Andrew Martinez.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Israel and The Rev. Lucy Martinez of Elsa, Texas, Ricardo and Elizabeth Martinez, Ismael and Connie Martinez, James Martinez, Daniel Martinez and Rafael and Ann Perez, all of Bryan; daughter and son-in-law, Abisag and Joseph Parker of Bryan; son-in-law, Arturo Martinez of San Marcos, Texas; Pablo and wife, Lucy, Viviana and husband, Sebastian, Abraham and wife, Veronica, Felipe, Jessica, Jonathan, Ricardo Jr., Paula and husband, Rosalio, Ralph, Daniela, Veronica and husband, Jesus, Ismael Jr. and wife, Maribel, Janie, Samuel, James I., Mario, Adrian, Monica, Misael, Julianna, Jadon, Joseph Jr. “J.B.,” Kylie, Ericka and Sue; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Briana-Elia, Yesenia, Patrick, Kaleb, Xylia, Desiree, Priscilla, Vivica, Brittany, Isaac, Brianna-Minerva, Arturo, Bianca, Sebastian, Sara, Alexandrew, Eliana, James and De’Voe and one more on the way; two brothers, Felipe Martinez of Miami and Roy Martinez of Brownsville, Texas; three sisters, Naomi and Julian Donato of Kermit, Texas, Virginia Martinez of Houston and Rebecca Gonzalez of Brownsville, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Templo Sulamita Church.