Thomas Raymond Martinez

Thomas Raymond Martinez, 87, of Aztec, NM, passed away on September 25, 2025. Tommy was born on February 17, 1938, to Thomas and Mary Martinez. Tommy was raised in Pagosa Springs, CO. He had many friends and family that he loved hanging out with. Tommy loved his music; he started playing guitar at the young age of fourteen. He played saxophone for six years with Lawrence, Alex Duran, and Freddy Archuleta; they were called The Latters. He went on to play with The Regals for fifteen years. After the band broke up due to the passing of the lead player, he started with The Laters again with Alex Duran and Freddy Archuleta, then played for three years with Jose Luis Villescas.

In 2013, Tommy fell ill to kidney failure. It was hard for him to keep up with yard work and snow removal and he had a hard time carrying his instruments. Tommy quit playing, and he and Mary moved to Aztec, NM. Tommy was glad they moved; he felt a lot better and didn’t need to be on oxygen anymore. Tommy worked for the Forest Service for thirty-two years. He worked in recreation and oversaw the campgrounds and maintenance.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Mary; his sisters, Tessie McCarthy – Denver, CO, Loretta (Fred) Compuzano – Cortez, CO, Janice and Janette – Pagosa Springs, CO; and his brother, Gilbert (Frances) – Pagosa Springs, CO. His children, Michael (Dee) Organ, Russell (Ena) – Ignacio, CO, TJ (Crystal) – Pagosa Springs, CO; sister-in-law, Sophie Winnett – Farmington, NM; daughter-in-law, Vindred Martinez Qualls – Durango, CO; and his close friends, Sisto Lucero and Jake Trujillo – Colorado Springs, CO. Friend and mother of his children, Josie Brinks; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his stepchildren, Christine (Louie) Rivas – Pagosa Springs, CO, Tracy Salazar – Pagosa Springs, CO, Denise (Arlan) Jordan – Colorado Springs, CO, Pam Smedak – Grand Junction, CO, Rovanna (Jesse) Moore – Colorado Springs, CO, and Belinda Rushing – Aztec, NM; sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Juanita; brother, Leonard; his son, Dino; his daughter, Nicole; grandson, Christopher; and nephews, Willie and Mathiason.

Services for Tommy will be held on October 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, followed by burial at Hilltop Cemetery. There will be a reception luncheon at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church.