GRAPEVINE -- E. Paul Martinez, Jr., 48, lost his two-year battle with cancer on Feb. 11 at his home surrounded by his family.
A native of Houston, Paul grew up in Nederland. A 1976 graduate of Port Arthur’s Bishop Byrne High School, Paul earned a bachelor’s of science degree in computer science in 1980 and another in electrical engineering in 1982 from Lamar University, Beaumont. Completing his college work, Paul moved to the Dallas area where he remained for 14 years working as an engineering manager. In 1996, the family relocated to Portland, Oregon where he and his family enjoyed hiking and camping. In 2004, they relocated to Grapevine, Texas.
Paul’s love of music developed early in life. He began taking guitar lessons at age 10 and soon he and his siblings formed the Fabeaux Suedes, a dance band that played for street dances, nursing and retirement homes and other venues throughout southeast Texas. They regularly provided music for Sunday Mass as well. Paul shared his love of music with his wife and children.
Paul was very active in the Boy Scouts of America throughout his life, first as a Scout and then as an adult leader. He believed strongly in the values Scouting instills and in giving back to the community. Paul was a member of the Order of the Arrow and he thoroughly enjoyed his trips to Philmont Scout Ranch.
More than anything Paul cherished time spent with his wife and children.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Adley and Esther Martinez, and Arsey L. Borne; three aunts, Juanita Kavanaugh, Dolores (Pudd) Viator, and Sister Beth Borne, CVI; two cousins, Elaina Kavanaugh and Brad Viator; and father-in-law, Arnold Thompson.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda, two sons, Eric and Nicholas, and a daughter, Olivia, all of Grapevine; his parents, Carolyn and Gene Martinez of Nederland; four brothers and their wives: Edward and Lidia of Katy, Richard and Margot of Port Arthur, John and Stephanie of Wallisville, and Glenn and Susan of Austin; and one sister and her husband, Cheryl and Ricky Stansbury of Port Neches; his grandmother, Ida Borne of Port Arthur; four aunts, Mary Carlisle of Beaumont, Ida Meryman of Port Neches, Norma Ashley of Bryan, and Grace Allen of Spring; his mother-in-law, Alice Thompson of Hurst; a sister-in-law, Diane Thompson of Anchorage, Alaska; two brothers-in-law, Kerwin Thompson of Hurst and Kent Thompson of Anchorage; 14 nieces and nephews and a host of cousins.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 1000 Tinker Road, Colleyville, Texas.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Boy Scouts of America (www.scoutingfriends.org), Banfield Charitable Trust (charitabletrust@banfield.net), or a charity of your choosing.
