On Saturday, August 31, 1968, the world was blessed with the birth of Paul Stanley Martinez. He was born to the parents of Robert and Rose (Ponze) Martinez of Saint Louis, Missouri. He lived the first few years of his life there. The family moved to Guernsey, Wyoming in 1970. He graduated from Guernsey Sunrise High School in 1986, and attended Black Hills State University for two years.
Paul enjoyed many outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and riding his ATV and newly acquired Harley Fat Boy. He enjoyed these activities with many people, most especially with niece Madison and great nephew Zayden. Paul liked to give the impression that he was grumpy or a grinch, but any who knew him well thought of him as a “teddy bear and gentle giant”.
His favorite things included messing with Zay, Dax, Madi and Aaliyah, teaching them to hunt and fish, riding the ATV in a tank top, shorts and sandals, and being the family chef. He was a St. Louis Cardinals and Blues fan. He had a giving heart and was often called upon to help friends and family.
Paul worked many jobs throughout his life. He worked for the Town of Guernsey during high school summers, drove van for the whiny railroaders, he installed fiber optic cable in the south with his dad, and he worked as a cook at Camp Guernsey. He worked as a Food Services Supervisor at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Facility in Torrington, Wyoming for the past ten years.
Sunday, December 27, 2020, Paul passed away at his home in Guernsey. He was survived by his dad, Robert Martinez; mom, Rose Martinez; younger sister, Anita Martinez; niece Madison Martinez; great nephews, Zayden Paul and Daxten Keeko; younger brother, Christopher “Keeko” Martinez; niece, Aaliyah Martinez; and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.
Paul’s funeral Mass was at 10 a.m. at the Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Guernsey on Saturday, January 2, 2021. A graveside service will tentatively be planned for Friday, July 2, 2021 at Prairie Rest Cemetery near Guernsey.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.
