Santos Martinez, 61, of Portland, Texas, temporary departure, took place on Monday, September 27, 2021, surrounded by both of his daughters.

Santos was born to parents Sotero Martinez Sr. and Matilde V Martinez, on January 07, 1960, in Boynton Beach, Florida. He and his family were born into migrant seasonal work and at a very young age, Santos and his siblings were taught how to work hard and adapt to difficult endeavors. He certainly defied all odds and would use these wonderful life skills to achieve much success and greatness throughout his life. Santos embarked on his own journey of becoming a family man and became a husband to Rebecca Brewster on July 7, 1982. They later welcomed their first daughter, Cecilia in February 1983 and were blessed again with their second daughter, Ileana born March 1988. Santos has always overcome any adversity with strength and would remain vigilant throughout all hardships. Anyone who invoked conversation with him was amazed with his wisdom. He had such a charismatic and unique way of wording things to help others understand, it was so mesmerizing to hear anything he had to say. He was told on more than one occasion that he should have been a teacher. He was a man of facts and was very intelligent. While working with Dixie/Ranger Construction Asphalt Company as a paver operator a total of 25 years, his 11th year in, he was dedicated and determined to finish school. After working long and hard in outside elements, he made the time to study. He received his GED in Lake Worth, Florida on October 22, 1991 at the age of 31. He had a passion for U.S. & World History and his scores showed just that. He ranked such high scores on a college level in all areas of World History alone. Math was also another subject he had strength in. We absolutely knew how much he admired all of God's beautiful wonders and he knew so much about how things worked in this realm and beyond with an abundance of bible knowledge. He loved and adored his Mother Matilde and anyone who knows our family, is aware of how much she loved him. They had such a unique mother-son bond and she was the matriarch of our family and he made that clearly known. They both decided to leave Florida to move to this great state called Texas in May, 2002. Santos was such a loyal and dedicated employee to a handful of employers. He was so grateful to have had a great career and fond memories with Ranger Construction and most importantly, his paving crew. He decided to spread his wings and embark on a new journey using his CDL license for a greater purpose. America's trucking industry is the driving and necessary force this country runs on. Truck drivers are away from their own families to stay up all hours of the night while they are hauling the supplying needs of others. We witnessed his greatest achievements when H-E-B hired him to be a driver on their "Department of Transportation" team located in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was a devoted H-E-B driver known as "Top Gun" and gave 19 years of service to H-E-B. Santos was inducted into the Million Mile Hall Of Fame in 2012 and was just 6 months away from getting his 2 million safe miles driven. He always asked if he ever left this Earth, that we were to let his employers know, what an honor it was to have accepted him to work in both wonderful company's. He hoped Ranger Construction &      H-E-B saw the honor & pride he had in working with both of them. We reminded him, his dedication and industriousness would never be forgotten.

Santos is survived by his two daughters: Cecilia Perez(Adam) and Ileana Marie DeLuna(Gilbert) As well as 10 grandchildren: Santino, Cesar, Isaiah, Valentino,Victor, Zoriah, Aliyah, Malachi, Mercedes, and Lizzette. He was predeceased by his parents: Sotero Martinez Sr. and Matilde V Martinez. Santos leaves behind his siblings: Elma Martinez, Eloy Martinez(Rosa), Sotero Martinez Jr.(Mary) and Blanca Flores(Fidel)

Santos was known for saying "Never say there is nothing to do because there is always something to do" He lived and breathed these profound word's because he was raised to be efficient and diligent. If he was not working, he was doing his own home landscaping for himself and helping his neighbors when needed or thoroughly cleaning his vehicles because he valued and took pride in what he worked so hard for. He has the biggest heart and took care of all those who he loved so much and he showed just how much time he spent caring for his family, especially his "A'ma". He also had such a unique bond with his first grandson Santino because he was born prematurely at 29 weeks and weighed just 2 pounds 9.4 ounces. Santino was mostly raised with his Wito and Wita and they both helped care for him when he was brought home. His grandfather (Wito) chose the name "Santino" not only because he loved the movie the "Godfather" but because Santino also means "Little Saint" and took so much time molding him into the responsible young man he is today.

Our father has always had a heart of gold and would help anyone that he could along the way. He took pride in working with H-E-B and wanted his grandchildren to partake in "Here Everything's Better". Their grandfather (Wito) had many special internal avenues with other H-E-B partners to do just that. His dream had come true and was so proud to see his two grandsons Santino, Cesar, and grand-daughter Mercedes be part of H-E-B's team. Our father Santos definitely was very sentimental and saved everything he was given by his children, grand-children, extended family and friends. The love for his family was eternal and we know we were his driving force to wake up everyday. We know and were told by him, he never wanted to struggle in life or see us struggle for that matter and that is why he worked as hard as he did. He mostly enjoyed one on one family time at his home with his daughters and grandchildren. His most admiral quality was his extreme whit and sense of humor and we are all going to miss hearing his advice, hearing his stories and most of all, hearing his laugh. His infectious laugh and smile would light up a room. We loved to watch him interact and play around with his four grand-daughters and he got a kick out of making Aliyah laugh as he tickled her to death. He would even sing new songs on the radio as he did with Zoriah. Our father loved the New Orleans Saints because Santos means "Saint". Together as a family, we enjoyed watching football with him, down to him seeing his six grandson's play in pee-wee, middle and high school football games. He was amazed in seeing the true talent, heart and soul that his grandson Isaiah has on that football field and enjoyed watching him play most. My sister Ileana has now become a Saint's fan because that was the last game she saw with our dad, even when he wasn't feeling himself. Giving up was never an option for him and we were so honored to have witnessed his strength and stamina to the end. Dad, just know how much you are loved and you will be forever missed until we all meet again. This time apart has been a huge absence and devastating heartbreak for all of us affected. You have definitely left your unforgettable footprint in our hearts but, that is why it is mentioned above, "Temporary Departure" because we all have the faith we will see you again. After your mother's passing in July 2020, you felt the same pain we now feel without you here with us. We know you are now both together again. We all love you immensely...until then, we know when you left, you carried all of the beautiful memories, the abundance of love, and the unique bond we all shared with you. Please continue to watch over us just as you did here with us on this Earth. It is even more special now because you are with your "A'ma", our sweet and loving Wita by your side, watching over all of us, together.

Written By: Cecilia Martinez-Perez

"A Father Is Neither An Anchor To Hold Us Back Nor A Sail To Take Us There, But A Guiding Light Who's Unconditional Love Shows Us The Way" - Unknown

A Celebration of Santos Martinez (Top Gun's) Life" is scheduled at the Portland Community Center on November 13th 2021 @ 2 PM, Room C.

If you are not able to attend, please contact Cecilia (CC) via email. email: cecilia021883@gmail.com for other possible accommodations.