Funeral services were held for Aug. 3 for longtime Hispanic civic leader Jess San Miguel Martinez, 71, who died suddenly in Visalia July 24. He was a native of Mexico and had made his home in Corcoran for many years.
Mr. Martinez was a retired law enforcement officer and had worked in that capacity in Delano, for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department and in Sanger.
He served several terms as a director of the Corcoran District Hospital board, was a member of the Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO) board and was a member of the Latino Peace Officers Association. He was a member of the Hispanic Roundtable and of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Jess was also a published author.
He was known as Chuy to family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Lupe; children Jesse Martinez III, Cathy Martinez, Jimmy Martinez, Fili Monzon Martinez, Helen Monzon Martinez, Adrian Monzon Martinez and Michael Anthony Martinez; siblings Rose Martinez, Angel Martinez, Ephram Martinez, Maria Siccardi, Molly Zirpel, Maria Martinez, Jim Martinez, Susie Hernandez and Danny Martinez; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, George Martinez, a son Ramon Monzon Martinez and a grandson, Teddy Monzon Badasci.
Visitation was held Aug. 3 between 9 a.m. and 12 noon in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Rosary and mass combination was held in the same church beginning at noon.
Cremation and burial will follow at a later date.
