Obituary

Thomas Francisco “Cisco” Martinez Jr., 54, died Jan. 5, 2018, in Juneau.

He was born Aug. 21, 1963, in Ketchikan.

He was raised in Saxman and graduated from Ketchikan High School. He earned as associate’s degree in business at Haskell Indian Nations University In Lawrence, Kansas.

Mr. Martinez was employed by Southeast Stevedoring as a longshoreman and E.C. Phillips and Son. He also worked as a local Teamster truck driver, and as an ice road trucker with Hamilton Ice Truckers. He was a past chairman of Cape Fox Corp. In addition to Ketchikan, he worked in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau.

He was a member of Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 15, Cape Fox Corp., Sealaska Corp., Organized Village of Saxman, Tlingit & Haida Central Tribes of Alaska and the Sanyaa Kwáan (Cape Fox) Dancers. He also was a member of the Saxman Salvation Army.

Mr. Martinez was an avid basketball supporter and youth mentor in the community, coaching several teams in his earlier years.

“Cisco loved all his nephews and nieces, and would often spoil them as his own children,” his family writes. ”... Cisco cherished what he was taught over the years and wanted to pass down his love and knowledge. He did this through his nieces and nephews. Just recently he treated his family at the Clarke Cochrane Christmas Classic and was happy to spend time watching the games and spending time with family over basketball.”

Detail-oriented, Mr. Martinez enjoyed model cars, occasional poker games and motorcycle rides.

“There was a time when Cisco was away truck driving — his family got a call and Cisco said, ‘Look for me on “Extreme Home Makeover,’” his family writes. “He was proud of the show and his participation. Cisco’s passion was his family and he made it about the future generations he had influence on. He was always trying to help where he could. His family will miss his conversations.”

Mr. Martinez was preceded in death by his mother, Alvina Jenny Martinez; father, Thomas Francisco Martinez Sr.; grandmother, Martha Shields; grandfather, Albert Shields; and many uncles and aunts.

He is survived by his sister, Patricia (Angel) Shields; niece, Kristy Leann Shields; great-nieces, Mariah Shields, Kaylee Elaine Evans and Jenny Lynn Evans; and great-great-nephew, Troy Ellis Barkhoefer.

A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at the Saxman Community Center. The funeral service will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at the Saxman Community Center, with a light lunch to follow. Officiating clergy will be Major Govaars and the Rev. Bill White.

Pallbearers will be Mike Gass, Sid Edenshaw, Paul Hamilton, Karl Demmert, Mike Greenup, Vince Jameson, Ed Kahle, Sonny Man and Tom Denny.

Honorary pallbearers will be Trevor Stevens, Butch Jackson, Vinnie Jameson, George Blandov and Jay Brendible