Louie "Raul" Martinez

Louie “Raul” Martinez, 78, died on Sept. 12, 2016, at Hospice of the Valley Dobson Home in Chandler after an unexpected diagnosis of advanced liver cancer.

Mr. Martinez was born in Denver City, Texas, on Aug. 25, 1938, to Raul Martinez-Padilla and Consuelo Martinez-Zamora. His childhood years were spent in Mexico. He would work with his grandfather in the store that he owned and spend much time with his uncle, who was a candy maker. Hope for a better and easier life and the blessings of his mother took him to Minnesota in 1966. There he met the love of his life, Sharon Zemple, and he married her on Nov. 21, 1970.

An accomplished welder, he worked at several manufacturing sites in Ortonville, Minnesota. He taught many people to weld. He worked on the power plant in Big Stone, Minnesota. He was a pipefitter and worked in northern Minnesota and Nebraska. He had his own welding shop on a farm near Graceville, Minnesota, and did repairs for farmers in the field. He loved to play guitar. He played for worship services on Saturday nights at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He also played in the band Norm and The Travelers.

His hobbies included collecting old clocks. He had the patience to clean them, oil them and order parts if necessary to get them running again. He enjoyed making candy. He spent lots of time researching recipes on YouTube and loved to cook. Computer games brought him relaxation. He was devoted to his family.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Carla Dobbs; two sisters, Maria del Carmen Martinez Martinez and Armandina Martinez Martinez; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Imelda, Elva and Gloria, and a daughter, Elisa.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at CrossRoads Church in Casa Grande, with fellowship to follow. Another celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at Holy Rosary Church in Graceville.