Demetrio "D" Martinez III

Demetrio “D” Martinez III, 61, of Pampa, passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 in Pampa.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Monsignor Joe Bixenman, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

D was born on April 1, 1960 in Pampa to Demetrio and Sara Martinez. He attended school in Pampa and was a 1978 graduate of Pampa High School. D later attended Paris Junior College. He also attended welding school and jeweler’s school. D was a master jeweler and owned jewelry shops in Pampa and Amarillo. He once made a necklace for a Bishop that was blessed by the Pope. D put his welding knowledge to good use, many years later, when he helped build the cross in Groom. He was passionate about his faith and his favorite thing to do was talk about the Lord. D married Dana McPherson on February 14, 2005 in Amarillo. He enjoyed watching wrestling and home improvement shows. D considered himself a chef and cooked at home frequently, as long as Dana was the one to clean up afterwards. He loved nothing more than spending time with family, especially his grandkids. They affectionately referred to his as “D-pa”. D will be missed greatly by his family and friends.

D was preceded in death by his parents; several aunts and uncles; and his father-in-law, Wes Thomas.

He is survived by his wife, Dana Martinez; two sisters, Cynthia Smith and husband Mackal and Maria Rios and husband Joe; eleven children, Kimberly Vance, DaNae Martinez, Demetrio Martinez IV and wife Sheralyn, Daniel Martinez, Gabriel Martinez, Heather Ponce, Adrianna Villareal, Ben Ponce and wife Hannah, Lisa Estrada, Christian Free and wife Miranda, and Evan Free; fourteen grandchildren, Rylee Ponce, Harmony Ponce, Teagan Ponce, Cali Ponce, Emma Ponce, Dawson Free, Carson Free, Michael Villareal, Ava Villareal, Regina Choppa, Katherine Silva, Lucy Zamora, Penny Vance, and Sierra Vance; and numerous extended family members and friends.

Memorials may be made to Cross Ministries, P.O. Box 370, Groom, Texas, 79039.