James N. Martinez

James N. Martinez, age 86, of Tecumseh, MI, formerly of Blissfield, MI passed away October 15, 2020, at home surrounded by his family. He was born January 15, 1934, in Blissfield, MI, the son of Ramon & Maria (Madrid) Martinez. On October 17, 1964, he married Maria Antonia Ybarra, she preceded him in death on December 23, 2014.  James was a graduate of Blissfield High School. He then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army. James retired from Tecumseh Products Company in 1999.    In 1974 he became an ordained Deacon at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Blissfield, MI. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Blissfield. James was actively involved in Little League Baseball & Sandy Koufax for over 30 years.  He was a member of St. Mary's of Good Council Church in Adrian and was a member of the Cursillo.  James is survived by his children, Sylvia (Pat) Wallace, James (Jennifer) Martinez, Jacqueline (Tracy) Hickman, Rebecca Martinez; five grandchildren, Alex (Ashley) Wallace, Shane (Brianna) Wallace, Joaquina (Jacob) Cessna, Gabryelle (Greg Pfieffer) Martinez and Aren Wallace; seven great grandchildren, Madix, Julian, Oliver, Zaylyn, Lincoln, Nova and Jameson; one sister, Lydia (Felipe) Guzman; one step brother, Rufus Madrid; sisters in law, Emily Martinez, Ofelia (James) Miles, Juana (Abel) Navarro, Diana (Ernie) Delgado, Maria Elena (Chayo) Castillo, Angie Martinez and Deborah Ybarra; brother in law, Domingo (Patricia) Ybarra; and many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.  He was preceded in death by mother Maria Navarro Martinez Madrid; father Ramon Martinez; step father, Casimiro Madrid; brothers, Tony Martinez, Henry Martinez, Raymond Martinez, Paul Martinez and David Martinez; sister Maria Louisa Martinez (Jose) Valdez; nephew, Ernesto Martinez; niece, Beatriz Martinez; one sister in law, Vicenta Cruz, two brothers in law, Guadalupe Ybarra and Manuel Cruz.  Mass of the Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at St. Mary of Good Council Catholic Church, with Fr. Michael Newman presiding. Rite of Committal will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield, MI, with Military Honors performed by the Adrian VFW Post 1584. Visitation will be on Monday October 19, 2020 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the Recital of the Rosary at 7:00 PM at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, 2959 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI. www.PurseFuneralHome.com

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