Anacleto R.

Martinez

Anacleto Rodriguez Martinez came to peaceful rest in his home surrounded by his loving family on April 18, 2025, at the age of 91.

Anacleto was born on July 13, 1933, in Harlingen, Texas. He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years Paula Zavala, his first daughter Rosa Ana, and his second son Francisco Z. Martinez.

Anacleto leaves his family to cherish his memories. His children; Eugenio (Mary), Arubento Z. (Celia), Rosa Anna, Joel Z. (Flora), Gilberto Z. (Mayra), and Norma Linda, 16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 15 great-great grandchildren.

He was 1 of 13 children who grew up on Rangerville Road in Harlingen. Our father was a hardworking man from the very beginning. He left school to work and help support his family. He always enjoyed working outdoors and spent many years as a tractor driver for many local ranches, mainly the Calabazas Ranch. It was during those times when he met our mother, who was working in the cotton fields. Even in his retired years, our father was always active. He always insisted on doing yard work himself, cutting the grass, raking the leaves, and trimming the trees. Doctors would say his persistence is why he lived as long as he did.

Our dad always put our education first, rarely having us miss school days. So we'd travel up north as soon as school was out for the summer, and sometimes we'd even return the day before classes started. Though if school was offered where we traveled, we attended. Those summers, our family would travel as migrant workers to Stayton, Oregon, Williams, California, and Jerome, Idaho. Working in the sugar beet fields was difficult, but rain or shine, hot or cold, we were there. Our dad was always the first one on the field. When we'd complain, one thing he would tell us is that if we could do this hard fieldwork, we could do anything in life. We will cherish those weekends that he took us to Shoshone Falls to have KFC picnics. It still amazes us that, when we'd travel, our dad was our real-life GPS; He'd know how many miles were left, what direction we were heading, and even where the next gas station would be. Even when we all moved away from home, our parents continued to travel and work for the next 5 years. That was my dad for you!

He worked over 30 years as a laborer for Pletcher's Wholesale Nursery of Harlingen digging out bushes, trees, and even our famous Valley palm trees. He also assisted in landscaping many locations around the valley; Gladys Porter Zoo, Valley Baptists Hospital, Valle Vista Mall, and the PNC bank (formally Harlingen National Bank) here in downtown Harlingen. Every time I pass those now developed properties, I am filled with pride knowing our dad worked on those lands. He was a hard worker. From him we learned that nothing was easy and we have to start from the ground up, but even if we don't succeed, we keep going. No regrets!

Every year, our father always looked forward to the holidays when our family would gather together. Especially New Years, when he'd safely and proudly shoot his gun. Those that knew him knew that he was extremely proud of who he was and what he had. He always thought fondly of his entire family. He wished them all happiness and success. He also honored his older brother Francisco, an Army veteran who served in the Korean War, and his son, grandsons, and numerous nephews who served in the military. Dad flew the American flag proudly. We will cherish those gatherings we spent around the kitchen table, where our dad would talk for hours, sharing his stories and life experiences. We didn't need cable; he was our real-life travel and history channel.

He enjoyed the company of his friends and talking about the good old days. Our dad also enjoyed watching western films and war movies. His favorites were Tombstone and the Victory at Sea series; he would watch them over and over again. He enjoyed travelling to casinos in Las Vegas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and especially Kickapoo in Eagle Pass, and liked the sound of winning money. I'll forever miss those road trips to Kickapoo with my Papi. He liked all kinds of buffets, Mexican Fish, Chinese, and especially Golden Corral, where he would often go to eat with his little sister Petra.

We thank our relatives and family friends from near and far for always thinking of our father. "El Cleton!", how some would call him. We thank our niece Angelica, who provided overnight care, and our sister-in-law Mayra and his day provider Nancy, who helped me, Norma, in taking care of our dad. We carry on with the courage and strength our father gave us and continue on with pride in the family name Martinez! It's okay daddy, be with mom, Rosita, and Frank, we will miss you dearly Apa. We love you always, and one day we'll all be together again. "Eso!"

Visitation will be held on Wednesday April 23, 2025, from 1:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. with a prayer of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Funeral Home.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday April 24, 2025, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church at 1:00 p.m. in Harlingen, Texas.

Interment will follow at Ashland Memorial Park in Harlingen, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Arubento Z. Martinez, Joel Z. Martinez,Gilberto Z. Martinez, Ernest Martinez, Ruben Issac Martinez, Joel Daniel Martinez, Gilberto Mateo Martinez, and Alfredo Anacleto Martinez.

With profound love and remembrance, the family of Anacleto Rodriguez Martinez have entrusted his funeral arrangements to Freddy & Lenny Elizondo - Funeral Directors/Owners at Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, 1002 East Harrison Avenue Harlingen, TX 78550. You may contact us at (956)364-2444 or visit us at www.trinityfunerals.com