Manuel Martinez, 76, of Cuero passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2010. He was born October 5, 1933 in Cheapside to the late Bartholo and Tomasa Garza Martinez. He was raised and worked at Buchel Ranch alone with his father and brothers, Pete, Bartholo Jr., Louis, and Sam. In 1977, he moved to town and became employed by Surface Burial Vault Company where he worked for 20 years until retiring in 1998.

He is survived by sons, Manuel Jr. and John Martinez; daughters, Virginia Guajardo, Adela Sanchez, and Alice Rocha; sisters, Carlotta and Severa Martinez; 13 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bally Salazar Martinez; his parents; brothers, Bartholo Martinez Jr., Louis Martinez, and Pete Martinez; sister, Maria and Adela Martinez; and grandsons, Manuel Martinez III and Joseph Rocha.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 8, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. Services will be held Friday, July 9, 2010, 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with Father Roger Hawes officiating. Interment will immediately follow at San Miguel Cemetery in Thomaston.

Pallbearers include Nicholas Sanchez, Pete Martinez Jr., Felix Rocha III, Juan Laguna, Jr. , Steven Sanchez Jr., and Ruben Hernandez and honorary pallbearer, Joshua Noblett.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to defer funeral expenses.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.