Isaac Kenneth Martinez

Article Last Updated; Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:55AM

Martinez

Former Mancos resident Isaac Kenneth Martinez died suddenly at his home in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Tuesday, June 2, 2009. He was 44.

Known as "Kenny," he was born in Durango to Lucas Martinez and Evelyn Neeley on Nov. 11, 1964. He was taken in and raised by Moises and Ophelia Rivera in 1967. Mr. Martinez lived and attended school in Mexico until he was 17, when he moved to Nevada and worked at Lake Mead.

He later moved to California, where he lived in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Porterville, finally settling in Santa Rosa. At various times he worked as a mechanic, heavy-equipment operator and cabinet finisher. For the last five years, Mr. Martinez had worked as a journeyman welder at the Sonoma County Barns.

On Nov. 27, 2002, he married Marlene Agnew in Santa Rosa.

"For years, it was almost always really just he and I," his wife wrote. "I will mourn what was, and what could have been."

His family said he was a handyman and liked to fix things. He enjoyed movies, fishing and eating out, particularly cheeseburgers. He also liked church.

"He was an encouraging person, happy and loved to work," his wife wrote. "He was very loyal to friends."

Mr. Martinez is survived by his wife, Marlene Martinez, of Santa Rosa; stepchildren Michael Delgado and Christa Delgado, both of Santa Rosa; parents, Moises and Ophelia Rivera, of Mancos; sisters Dolores Martinez and Nancy Odell, both of Mancos, and Mary Lettig of West Valley, Utah; brothers Nick Rivera of Mancos, Jason Rivera, Sergio Rivera and Edwin Rivera; one granddaughter; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cremation has occurred. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2009, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Mancos. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2009, also at St. Rita's. Burial will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, June 26, at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Mancos.