Michael Joseph Martinez, 63, passed away from injuries sustained in an auto accident on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. We believe our Lord takes the best of the best at Christmastime.
Mike was the second of five children and the only son of Michael and Betty Martinez. He was born on June 6, 1960. He was raised in Grantsville, Utah. He attended Grantsville schools along with his sisters. Mike and Mary were in the same class. Everyone thought they were twins. They had so much fun growing up on Center Street with all the neighborhood kids. Mike loved to tease his sisters so much but he was always the first to help whenever they needed it. Mike loved fishing, hunting, trapping, shooting trap, reading, gardening, just being outdoors, watching rodeos, and horse racing.
He was also a talented artist. He really enjoyed all the hunting trips/adventures with his best friend Ty Anderson and his family. He was a strong, tough man, the hardest worker, and was very honest and blunt. Mike never “sugar-coated anything.” He enjoyed a good laugh and “The Old Man” still loved to tease the ones he cared most about.
Mike was an amazing uncle and took on the “father role” for Chuck and Bobby. He taught them how to fish, hunt, and be a good responsible man. He was there for both their first deer hunts, and of course, they got their bucks. He was so proud of the men and fathers they became. They were the sons he never had.
Mike graduated in 1979. He worked at the Tooele Army Depot, Peterson’s, and at Magcorp. In 1999 he went to EnergySolutions, and that’s where he stayed for the last 24+ years. Mike was the “confirmed bachelor,” and when asked why he never married, he would simply say “I have four sisters.” He surprised everyone at the age of 56 when he married Terry Miner on May 6, 2016. She truly was the love of his life. Terry was raising two of her grandchildren, Maje and Jaysa, so Mike became an instant Grandpa, a role he thoroughly enjoyed.
It was when Jaysa had Kyra, his little “Boo Boo” that we saw the “big softy” in him. Mike was fond of Terry’s youngest son Zach, his wife Tiffany, and his family. They would often visit and they loved going to the Turkey Banquet. Mike was the best husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be missed.
Mike is survived by his love, Terry; sisters: Pauline Graham-Tooele, Mary Martinez-Grantsville, Ann (Chet) Rinehart-Soda Springs, Idaho, and Fran (Eric) Herman, Grantsville; nephews Victor Graham (Emily), Brian Graham, both of Tooele, Chuck (Camille) Johnson-Idaho Falls, Idaho, Bobby Carrillo (Macy), Tooele, Anthony Martinez (Shanell), Soda Springs, Idaho; niece Carla (Tino) Martinez-Salt Lake City; uncle and aunts Rafaelita Martinez-Tooele, Treasa Whitney-Canon City, Colorado, Joe & Carol Martinez-Canon City, Colorado, and Wyona Quintana-Ogden, Utah and many more great nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends; Terry’s boys Brandon Miner-Tooele, Brian (Lisa) Miner-Santaquin, Zach (Tiffany) Miner, Stockton; Grandchildren Malori, Maje, Jaysa, Traevynn, Jackson (Sara), Logan (Mikyla), Kolby (Hannah), Konnor, Teagan; great-grandchild Kyra and two more on the way; brother and sisters-in-law Camille Callister, Springville, John (Katie) Callister-Payson, Susie (deceased) (Terry) Edwards-Hyde Park, Rob (Mary) Callister, Tooele.
Funeral services were held on January 3, 2024, at St. Marguerite Church. Interment followed at Tooele City Cemetery.
The family of Mike Martinez would like to thank his coworkers: Larry Walton, Roger Ekins, Rick Correa, Fabian Villages, John Thompson, Brittani Stewart, Todd Stewart, Mike Feurbach, Thayne Taylor, Hillary Clegg, Matt Smart, Jerry Housden, and Leon Baker who stopped to assist in the auto accident. By saving his life, you gave us one more week with Mike and a chance to say goodbye. Mike was an organ donor, by saving him, you saved so many more lives. We are forever grateful. Terry Martinez, Pauline Graham, Mary Martinez, Ann Rinehart, Fran Herman and Families
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