Bernardo Martinez, 63, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, December 29, 2009.  A native of Port Arthur and lifelong resident of the Nederland area, Bernardo was an electrician with IBEW Local 409 for over thirty years.

 He was a devout Christian and a member of Triumph Church in Nederland for more than twenty-five years. A United States veteran, Bernardo served in Vietnam and received a Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Bernardo graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur and received an associate’s degree from Lamar University. 

Bernardo was family oriented and the type of man who always considered others before himself.  Constantly working to help his neighbor, Bernardo spend countless hours volunteering and with his Church.  From collecting and delivering gifts and food for missions to Mexico to wiring homes for Hurricane Ike victims to hitchhikers needing a lift, he never thought twice about helping anyone in need.  To him, no one was a stranger and sleep was optional.

Survivors include his sons, Ben Martinez III and his wife Janie, and Victor Martinez; daughter, La Reina Arshad and her husband Sam; mother, Conception Flores Martinez; grandchildren, Brittany, Julio and Bailey; fourteen brothers and sisters; fourteen nieces and thirteen nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Reynaldo Martinez.

A gathering of his family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday, January 1, 2010, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Broussard’s. A graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Hill Cemetery, 21723 Aldine Westfield, Humble.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Triumph Church Missions Ministries, 1407 Highway 69 South, Nederland, Texas 77629 or you may log onto their website at triumphchurch.com/missions.