Manuel Martinez, Jr.
Manuel Martinez, 88, a resident of Dickinson, Texas, passed away on February 1. 2026. He was born on September 8, 1937 in Hitchcock, Texas to parents, Manuel Martinez, Sr. and Elodia Galvan Martinez.
He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1955 and been a loyal fan of the Gators ever since. He was a crop farmer for many years. His next journey took him to the Clear Creek School District, where he worked for several schools; he finally retired from McWhorter Elementary in Webster, Texas.
He loved to go on vacation with his wife, Frances, to as many National Parks as they could. Manuel was a very kind, patient, generous, passionate man, husband, father, and grandfather.
He will be greatly missed.
Manuel is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Frances Martinez; son, Rudolph Martinez and brother, Tony Martinez.
He leaves behind to treasure his memory, daughter, Phyllis Finley & husband, Larry; son, Enrique Martinez; grandchildren, Michael Martinez, Stephen Martinez, Anthony Martinez, Brandon Martinez, Kyle (Hayley) Finley, Casey Finley and Koby (Ciara)Finley and great-grandchildren, Mori Martinez, Davis Finley, Kylerr Campbell, Kaison Finley, Aspen Finley, Stetsyn Finley and Denyr Finley.
In his honor, there will be a visitation on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson, Texas. A funeral service is planned for Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10:00am, also at Crowder Funeral Home. Interment will follow the service at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Webster, Texas.
A special Thank You to Andy & Gloria Burdge for taking care of our Dad when we weren’t able.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. I would not say I knew him well having only been around him a handful of times and most probably when I was too young to remember properly. However as adult I distinctly remember sitting with him at a family event. He struck me as a man who was, the salt of the earth, knowing how to have fun when there were fun to be had, not afraid of a days work, unapologetic about the way the world was and his place in it. A man that would put you in your place but also give you the shirt off his back. A man who had seen and heard a lot of things and yet seemed unweathered by the storms life tends to throw our way. A man who was steady. That’s the impression he left and while it is profoundly sad that he is gone those impressions are everywhere like footprints on our lives, and so we will carry those impressions forward and on. I wish for you peace and hope and love in this hard time.
Love,
Jonathan Bower
My most memorable time with my Father in law was a trip to my home where I grew up outside Denver for Christmas 1992. The weather deteriorated in Dalheart Texas in Blizzard conditions I was forced to get cable chains at a Walmart to continue on to Raton for our first stop. I Believe that both Manuel and Frances thought I was nuts driving there Custom Van the 130 miles which took 4 hours through this blizzard. I recall glancing at him several times looking Nervous the whole way well we made it alive and I think I gained some points as a Son in law. To see his face and look of wonder in those Rocky Mountains was beautiful to see. Manuel and Frances loved there trips to different sights to the North and in his study of the geography he became quite knowledgeable on the places they Visited. He left a lasting impression on me on how to get up every day and take care of your business and your family. Solid as a Rock and a quiet strength.I never saw him angry or harsh to anyone. I will miss our talks on football and the mountains he was truly a Man of view words but the impressions he left wasn’t about what he said but about how he lived and carried himself in a quite manner that was stronger than Words. I thank him for his lessons in life and trusting me to take care of his daughter till my time is through. God bless Dad and Mom Martinez we will meet again on the highest of peaks….
God Bless and Rest in Peace Uncle Manuel