Fidencio Martinez

 (June 27, 1937 – October 4, 2020)

Fidencio Martinez of Laredo, Texas went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the age of 83. Mr. Martinez died peacefully with his beloved wife Conchita Martinez and their children, Abraham Martinez, Martha Leticia Martinez and Dinorah Martinez-Anderson by his side.

Born to Bernardo and Josefina Martinez, Mr. Martinez was born in San Ignacio, Tamaulipas, Mexico, on June 27, 1937. Brother to 10 brothers and sisters, Mr. Martinez did not have the opportunity for much formal education as he helped out on his family’s ranch in his early years. He came to the United States through the Brazero Migrant Program and later discovered that he was a US citizen from birth due to his grandparents’ birthplace in Texas. He ended up in the state of California where he worked many agricultural fields. After a brief stint in other states, he returned to California where he was able to work in the restaurant field. He married Conchita Flores de Martinez, an educator in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico on September 20, 1964.  Soon thereafter, he was entrusted with the opening of various food establishments under the El Tecolote Restaurant banner. While living in California, Abraham, Letty and Dinorah were born. After a few years of managing those restaurants, they migrated to Laredo, Texas to be close to family. While in Laredo, he had various jobs including servicing at Enco (now Exxon) gas stations, cook at the Ox Cart Steak House and cook for the Head Start Program at the Farias Daycare through the CAA. They later purchased El Metate Restaurant in 1976 when Del Mar Boulevard was the most northern corridor in Laredo. Since 1976, he gave his life to its customers and was able to amass many successful real estate holdings. He took much pride in providing his children with higher education. As an active member of Iglesia Misericordia, he had a long history of philanthropy and giving where he donated various parcels of land for the establishment of a local church and donated for the construction of many other church related buildings and ministries.

Mr. Martinez and his wife, Conchita Martinez, retired after 42 years in the restaurant business-El Metate Restaurant- on December 17, 2017. He touched countless lives through daily interactions in his business and through his many philanthropic endeavors. His joy was to spend time with family and with his grandchildren. He also loved to listen to Norteño Mexican music with a special affinity to the accordion instrument.

Mr. Martinez was preceded in death by his parents, Bernardo and Josefina Martinez, and by his brothers Heriberto Martinez, Ildefonso Martinez, Alvaro Martinez and sister Estanislada Martinez. He is survived by his wife Conchita Martinez; children Abraham Martinez (Argie), Robert Martinez (Terri), Irma Martinez-Ortega (Michael †), Martha Leticia Martinez and Dinorah Gracia Martinez-Anderson (Tommy); grandchildren Josiah Christopher Anderson, Jacob Stephen Anderson, Abraham David Martinez, Isaac Daniel Martinez, Isaiah Dominic Martinez, Bryce Anthony Martinez, Yves Alexander Martinez, Michael Ortega, Melissa Ortega, Desiree Monique Salazar, Estevan Antonio Silva and Shawn Patrick Silva.

A Visitation service for Mr. Martinez will take place at Fred Dickey Funeral Home, 1320 Trey Drive, on Friday, October 16, 2020, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a service from 6:30 – 7:30 PM. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11 AM at Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia, 4519 E Del Mar Boulevard. Procession will follow to Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to Dr. David Garza, Dr. Sandra Ordoñez-Sánchez, Dr. Eduardo Miranda, Dr. Sylvia Jaramillo, Dr. Michael Herman and the Hospice Austin staff.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia via www.ICM.church.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3611. For your convenience, you may leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com