Alfonso (Poncho) Enrique Martinez, 84, of Alice, TX passed away peacefully on September 28, 2025, in Alice, Texas.
Poncho was born in Falfurrias, TX on November 24, 1940, to Arturo G. and Maria Longoria Martinez. When he was two years old, his family moved to Alice, TX. He, along with his siblings, attended St. Joseph Catholic School and was a lifetime parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Poncho graduated from William Adams High School in Alice, TX and attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX.
He was a United States Air Force Veteran who served from 1960 to 1968. He was stationed in Harlingen AFB, Lackland AFB, and Tan Son Nhuet AFB, Saigon, Vietnam. He served primarily as an Administrative Clerk and a Postal Clerk. As Chief Clerk in Unit Administration, his commander commented, "Sergeant Martinez is one of the few outstanding personnel I have known… he has gained respect and admiration due to his willingness to meet a challenge, accept responsibility and achieve outstanding results" which are attributes he exhibited throughout his life and instilled in his children.
After honorable discharge in 1968, he continued his postal career with the United States Postal Service in Alice, TX and retired in 1992.
He was a loving father and husband, considered a strong man with great integrity and showed great reverence to our Lord Jesus Christ.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Arturo Martinez, Jr. and Armando Martinez, Sr; four sisters, Ana Maria Garcia, Aida Quintanilla, Alma McKenzie, and Adela Martinez.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years, Maria Ernestina (Tina) Martinez of Alice; his three daughters Leticia (Hector) Longoria, Maricia (Gilbert) Bernal, and Dilanda (Chris) Kennedy; two sons, Alfonso (Rendi) Martinez and Javier (Melissa) Martinez; nineteen grandchildren, Alfonso III, Angela, Ashley, Amber, Suzette, Quintin, Hector V, Amanda, Matthew, Katharine, Ishmael, Israel, Anyssa, Julissa, Jordan, Justin, Jacob, Joshua, and Jeremiah; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Alfonso E. Martinez, Jr, Javier Martinez, Ishmael Botello, Israel Botello, Quintin Longoria, Hector Longoria V, Justin Kennedy, and Jacob Kennedy.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 2:30 pm until 3:00 pm at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alice, with a Rosary beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will begin at 4:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with a private military service to be held at a later date at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, TX.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Alice, TX and dedicate mass(es) for Alfonso.