Paul Reyes Martinez

November 20, 1925 - April 1, 2016

Secure in his faith and his eternal salvation through his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Paul Reyes Martinez, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, April 1, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.

Paul was born on Nov. 20, 1925, in Santa Maria, Calif., to Mercedes and Jose Martinez. His father died when he was two years old. His mother later remarried, and the family moved to Winslow, Ariz., where Paul grew up.

He graduated from Winslow High School in 1942 and joined the U.S. Army in 1943. He was trained as a welder and light truck driver and later certified as a tank gunner.

He proudly served in the Rhineland Campaign in the 2nd Armored Division under Gen. George Patton until the end of the war. He was awarded the EAMET Medal with two bronze service stars, the WW2 Victory medal, a presidential citation and two Good Conduct medals.

While serving in Frankfurt, Germany, he met a beautiful German girl, Margaret Weber, who won his heart and became his wife on Feb. 23, 1947. They were the first post-war American/German couple to receive permission from the Army to wed.

They welcomed their first child, Fred, while still in Germany. When Paul received orders to return to the United States, the family moved to Fort Sill, Okl., where he was a drill sergeant. Paul was honorably discharged from the Army in 1949, and they moved to Salt Lake City where Paul's family lived.

After settling in Salt Lake City, their daughter, Therese (Therry), was born. The family moved to Mountain Home, Idaho, in 1959, where he was an active and well-loved member of Faith Lutheran Church.

Paul enjoyed two successful careers. The first as a retread plant foreman in the tire industry until an injury forced him to retrain in another field, and his second career as a workforce services consultant for the State of Idaho, serving as an Outreach director to the migrant community.

Paul and Margaret returned to Utah in 2009 to be near family due to Margaret's declining health. Paul lived with his daughter and her family until his passing. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sandy.

Paul was a devoted husband and father, encouraging and cheering on Margaret in her careers and his children in their schooling and careers. Nothing meant more to him than his faith and his family.

He was the first to offer help to anyone when needed, no questions asked. He faithfully served his church in many areas and was a role model to his children and many others of Christ-like behavior.

A child of the Depression, he was a proud life-long Democrat. A proud Californian, he cheered any California team (except when it came to the Utes), especially his Lakers!

He was always the perfect gentleman, so proper and appreciative, always making sure he said his "thank yous" up to and including his final caregiving team. His sense of humor and teasing were non-stop.

As his grandson, David, said of him, "Opa was always so busy living life and making people fall in love with him that he never had time to get old! He'll forever be that always happy sun-kissed man we all know and love."

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved, Margaret in 2012. He is now joyfully reunited with her singing God's praises in Heaven. He was also preceded by his parents, brother Gavino and sister Sarah.

Paul is survived by his son Fred (Marilyn) and daughter Therry (Leslie) Mayes. He is also survived by grandchildren David Mayes, LeslieAnne Gresh (Chris), Michael (Heather) Martinez, Matthew (Ashley) Martinez. He was UrOpa to four great-grandchildren: Savannah Hope Gresh, Brooklyn, Cohen and Gavin Martinez. He also had a special love for David's girlfriend, Tayla Egersheim and his dear friends Bill and Julia Kleinschmidt and Ben and Jeri Ulibari.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the University of Utah Medical ICU for their excellent and tender care, especially to Drs. Keith Cummings, Estelle Harris and Nathan Wanner. Your care allowed Dad a peaceful and comfortable passing, and for that we will always be grateful.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1815 East 9800 South, Sandy, Utah, a viewing will be held on Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). Interment will be held at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.

Paul donated his eyes to the Lions Eye Bank at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Paul's name may be given to Guide Dogs of the Desert or Lutheran World Relief.

Online condolences are welcomed at www.Larkincares.com.