Lorenzo "Larry" Martinez

    Lorenzo Martinez Sr., known by family and friends as “Larry”, was born on August 11,1942 and fell asleep in death on February 14, 2025. He was born in the Rio Grande Valley in Relampago, Texas. He is survived by his son Randy Martinez and daughter-in-law Gloria Martinez, his daughter Stella Martinez and son-in-law Johnny Salinas and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Larry is Preceeded in Death by his Mother Cruz Vargas Trevino and Father Isabel Martinez, as well as Stepfather Frank Vargas and Stepmother Maria R. Martinez, also known as Cuca, his grandparents Jose M. Trevino and Andrea Trevino, his ex-wife and mother to his children Mercedes “Nancy” Dunlap, his three sons Lorenzo "Larry " Martinez Jr., David Martinez and Richard David Martinez. Larry also comes from a large, combined family of twenty-six siblings, him being the oldest. Larry had an extensive career in the hotel industry, employed in the 1970s by The Rice Hotel in Houston and later by The Westin Galleria Hotel where he worked for many years and was a well-known hotel to be frequently visited by many celebrities which Larry enjoyed meeting including Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics and singer Jerry Lee Lewis among many others and later retired.

    Larry was a musician in his early life, he enjoyed playing the drums and getting behind the microphone to sing some tunes. He was a fan of the accordion and of conjunto music. He met many artists including Flaco Jimenez and Ruben Vela whom he had built a friendship over the years. Larry spent countless hours with his young children, the family’s favorite pet beagle “Mootchy”, relatives and friends in Freeport, Texas and The San Jacinto River where he loved fishing, crabbing, shrimping, camping and throwing his cast net for bait to fish for his favorite catch…the “Katan” an Alligator Gar Fish. Nevertheless, nothing or no one could compete for his number one passion and talent for being one of the BEST " Pool Sharks!" of all time even beating the famous pool player Minnesota Fats when he visited Houston one year. Pool truly was his specialty, he genuinely knew how to pull one over on those who challenged him, surprising many with his 5 rail bank shots. He was always ready to show his children and other young people “how it's done” at the pool hall. Larry was distinctly recognized by many people in Jacinto City and Galena Park because of his Big Orange Volkswagen Van that he drove around for years.

    Larry lived a simple life regularly visiting the local VFW Post 9296 to spend time with his closest drinking buddies, friends, daughter and sons drinking his beer, smoking his cigarettes and playing pool, just enjoying life’s simple pleasures. When done he would go home to his cat he named “KILLER”. Even up to his becoming ill and having to be admitted to the hospital, Larry was a very independent man, full of pride of his independence and never wanted to be told what to do or rely on anyone, always just wanting to do his own thing.

Larry will forever be in our hearts. He will be missed by his last remaining children Randy and Stella, his extended family and by his many friends at VFW Post 9296.

    A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 2pm to 7pm. Services will begin at 3pm. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 5pm at The VFW Post 9296 located at 1214 Maxey Rd. in Houston, Texas 77015

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