MARTINEZ, Abelardo Recio

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ June 4, 2007 Abelardo Recio Martinez passed from this life May 28, 2007. He was born May 27, 1917. Those who knew and loved him called him Abe or Chi-chin or Curely. His parents, Gabino Martinez and Ramona Recio were born in Spain, the state of Burgos, when they married. Both Gabino and Ramona originated from families who owned land and raised livestock. Gabino immigrated to the United States in 1912, and took employment at the mine in Metcalf. In 1916, he had saved enough money to send for Abe's mother, Ramona, and his older brother, Pedro. In 1928, out of concern for the hazards of mining, Gabino and Ramona purchased the Old Polland Ranch, in King's Canyon. Sadly, Ramona passed away the same year, at 44 years old, leaving children Pete, Abe, Tom, Tiofila, Clara, Sophia and Inez. From that time forward, rearing and educating his children and the goat ranching was his life focus. Gabino died in 1938. Inez is Abe's only surviving sibling. Abe began his schooling at Metcalf and when the mine closed, finished school in Clifton. He liked school and did well until 12th grade when he left school to help his father with the goats and with family responsibilities. A few years later, at age 21, Abe was working for Southern Pacific, had a mail route to Morenci and Eagle Creek, and a firewood business, but his real dream was to raise cattle on his own ranch. Sometime in 1938, he was able to purchase Johnny Fisher's place, close to the family goat ranch near Polaris in King's Canyon. This was Abe's entry into the cattle business with deeded land and a state permit. Abe picked Vidal and Jesusita Gomez's daughter, Lydia, for his bride Sept. 14, 1941. In 1944 Abe and Lydia purchased what the family refers to as the Silver Creek Ranch from Bill McLaughlin which included deeded land and permits on State and BLM land. In 1948, 10 years after he had first seen the Historic Dix Creek ranch, he and Lydia were able to purchase it from Bill and Charlotte Taylor. This addition provided them with another 140 acres of patented land on the San Francisco River and water rights on the river and Dix Creek dating back to 1872 and the ranch now known as the Martinez Ranch. Abe's life history is derived from his experience on the land for it was his "life's work." He was a guardian of resources whether it was family, livestock, wildlife or the land itself, for he had a mysterious confidence in Mother Nature. There were things that Abe "just knew" and in all things he demonstrated concern, wisdom and integrity. His honesty and his fighting spirit will be missed. Abe and Lydia were residing in Safford at the time of his death. Surviving are Lydia, his wife; his sister, Inez Recio Martinez of Safford; son Abe Jr., (Sharon) Martinez and their daughter, Melissa ( J.J.) Grzelak, and three children of Pinetop, Abe III (Tiffany) and a daughter of Kingman. Abe and Lydia's second son, Daniel (Stephany), and their son Justen Daniel (Shelly) of Las Vegas, Nev., and daughter, Marlo Ashley of Austin, Texas. The third son Robert (Pam) and their children: Robert Brandon (Lauren), and two children of Mesa, daughter Karen Michelle (Joel) Reinen and two children of Flagstaff, daughter, Shauna Marie (Jeremy) Carlson of Gilbert. Abe Sr. is also survived by his nephew, Joe Cueto and family of Duncan; his nephew Raymond Cueto and family of Clifton; niece Carolyn Cueto Manuz and family of Clifton; his nephew Daryl Norte and family of California; his sister-in-law, Gloria Munez and family of Scottsdale; sister-in-law Sylvia Carrasco and family of Safford; sister-in-law Marcelina Erramuzpi, husband Frank and Olivia Duval and husband Tom. Abe Sr. is also survived by his brother-in-law, Robert "Bobby" Gomez (Wanda) and family; brother-in-law Angel Gomez (Linda) and family of Peoria; brother-in-law Jimmy Gomez and family of Phoenix; brother-in-law Jessie (Vicki) and family of Yuma. Abe was preceeded in death by valued friends and cowboys who grew up with the Martinez sons and were treated as their own sons. He also leaves behind a host of friends who respected, admired and loved him.