Jay E. Martinez, 88, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Good Samaritan Center at Dodge City, KS. He was born on December 28, 1920 at Copeland, KS the son of N.A. and Carmen (Rodriguez) Martinez.

He married Ruth Ascencio on June 23, 1941 in Ingalls, Kansas, she survives. After living many years in Copeland he and wife Ruth moved to Dodge City. Jay enjoyed fishing and had an intense passion for baseball, playing for the Dodge City Cowboys and Liberal B.J's in his youth. He managed youth baseball teams in Copeland for many years. In latter years he enjoyed gardening.



Survivors;
3 Daughters Barbara Waldron, and Ruth Anne Waldron both of Dodge City, Kansas,Susan and husband Jim Riphahn of Fort Collins, Colorado. 3 Sons Butch Martinez of Copeland, Kansas,Mark and wife Sherrill Martinez of Baldwin City, Kansas,Tony and wife Geri Lynn Martinez of Saranac, New York. Brother I.R. Martinez of Garden City, Kansas and sister Ruth Martinez of Hemet, California. He also survived by 10 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother Ramon, and a sister Micaela.

Memorial service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Dick Robbins presiding. Inurnment will be at 3:00 PM Friday, March 13, 2009 at Copeland Cemetery in Copeland, KS. Memorials can be made to Good Samaritan Center or to the Copeland Cemetery Fund in care of the funeral home.