Julio Y. Martinez

Julio Y. Martinez passed away peacefully at his home in Redlands on Saturday August 10, at the age of 88. Julio was born in Riverside, California and moved to Redlands when he was 13. He enlisted in the U.S Army at age 17 where he served in the South Pacific during World War II and was awarded a Bronze Star. He later performed drill master duties at Camp Cook, Ca. during the Korean War. After his military service in the South Pacific, Julio returned home and married Florence Cervantez. They lived in Mentone where they raised a small family as Julio worked for Universal Rundle. He later worked at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino. Years later, Julio and Florence moved to Redlands where Julio became a vocational instructor for San Bernardino Valley College and then a building inspector for the County of San Bernardino. He attended classes at UCLA and the University of Mexico and would later become an instructor at the Department of Youth Authority in Chino, where he retired. During his retirement his wife started a small business in Colton where he enjoyed meeting the many people that came for advice and guidance. He loved to travel and enjoyed writing poetry, some of which are entered into The National Library of Poetry and one into Volume 141 of the U.S Congressional Record. He was a member of the International Society of Poets and wrote articles for The Sun Telegram and Inland Empire Hispanic News. Julio was a life member and past commander of the American Legion Post 650 in Redlands, life member of the VFW and member of the Knights of Columbus. He was active in veteran affairs and was awarded Honorary Special Deputy Sheriff for San Bernardino County by Sheriff Floyd Tidwell. Julio is preceded in death by his loving, loyal and faithful wife Florence. Survivors include two sons Julio Martinez Jr. of Mentone and Peter Paul Martinez of Marysville, Washington; two sisters, Jenny Moya Rodriguez of Highland and Sofie Flores of Riverside; one brother Manuel Diaz of Mentone; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Visitation is Friday, Aug 23 from 5pm-7pm followed by rosary from 7pm-8pm at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Ave. Redlands. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, August 24 at 11:00 am at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on Columbia St. in Redlands, formally St. Mary s, followed by graveside burial at Montecito Memorial Park. Reception will be held at the American Legion Post 650, 1532 N. Church St. Redlands at 1:30pm.