Lawrence Earl Martinez

Obituary Lawrence E. Martinez Lawrence Earl Martinez died at age fifty three years old. He lived from February 11, 1959 to June 19, 2012. He died at Saint Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. He was born in Monte Vista, Colorado. Larry attended Madras High School. He grew up on a farm in Madras. He loved animals and also labored on the farm. When Larry was eighteen years old he became a police officer. Later he joined the Military serving our country in Japan and also in Iraq. He became a prisoner of war in 1979. He was taken as a hostage for several months. He lived for thirty-four years after this ordeal. He received several awards for his loyal and courageous service in the United States Marines and Armed Forces. He had many vocational interests including cooking, plumbing, architecture, construction and trucking. He had a partial amputation to one of his legs about six years before he died. He loved to draw and sketch. He studied art and sociology when he was younger and also later in his life. Larry was a very kind hearted, caring and compassionate person who had a spirit of self-sacrifice. He cared deeply for others and he was also very empathetic. He volunteered at the Veterans Administration speaking to and encouraging other veterans who had endured with pain and injuries from other wars. Larry is survived by his parents Porfirio and Helen Martinez, his two children Jessica, age ten and Matthew age nine. He also had eight brothers and sisters including James, Donnie, Vera, Sharon, Rosie, Lola, Jerry and Tim. He is also survived by his wife Kim Devine. With profound grief, he will be missed by all who hold him deep in their heart. Memories of his selfless love will stay with us. "But we never wanted memories, we always wanted you". Rest in peace our beloved Lawrence Martinez. Services will be held Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 1:30 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.