Lee John Martinez Jr.
Born on October 28, 1940 in Cheyene, WyomingPassed March 9, 2025, in Palm Bay, Florida
The leader of the band, Lee John Martinez Jr. passed away peacefully at Hospice on Sunday March 9th. He was born on October 28th,1940 to Cora and Lee John Martinez in Cheyenne Wyoming. Being the oldest of 4 children, he took this job seriously, being fiercely protective of his family; we know family was anyone who stepped into his life. After high school, he attended Santa Fe College enjoying surfing and the sunny beaches of California.
He then went on to join the Air Force in 1960 and was stationed at McGuire Air Force base in New Jersey. While stationed there in 1962 he met and married his beautiful wife, Joanna Ruth. They soon welcomed three lovely daughters into their loving household. It is during this time that he made the life altering decision at a Jack Van Impe crusade to accept the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior. This monumental decision changed the track of his life.
He soon moved his family to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute because the Lord called him to full time Christian ministry; he was determined to follow what God had placed in his heart. He graduated with a degree in communications and went to work in Christian radio with the Bible Broadcasting network. This adventure led his family to move around from Virginia to North Carolina and eventually to Atlanta. The move to North Carolina was so beneficial because Joanna’s family lived there, and they were able to pour spiritually into his life as well as that of his young family.
In 1983, he received a call from a little local church in Florida called First Baptist Church of Melbourne that had a young radio station that needed a General Manager. After much prayer and thought, God opened the door for the Martinez’s to move to Melbourne Florida. It is here where God used him tremendously not only as a radio station manager, but as a leader in the church, small group leader, Sunday School teacher, husband and pop pop. His monthly columns in the WCIF newsletter were always insightful and full of wisdom where he used much of his daily life as examples.
His favorite vacation spot was Hilton Head, South Carolina so he could be with family and friends playing games, biking, golfing and making memories; if you were part of his children’s life you were considered family. In 1993, he came into the role he cherished most in life being called pop pop. He poured his unfailing love and wisdom as well as much of his time in his three GRAND sons, Austin, Dakota and Noah. His grandsons were the pride of his life.
Lee’s last words were filled with quoting scripture, telling his family how much he loved them and repeating that Jesus Christ was his savior and that he was a child of God.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years Joanna Smith Martinez, his three daughters Lynda Lee Fraley (Charles) Beverly Sue Collins (Kirby) Sandie Joy Almond (Mike), his three grandsons Charles Austin Fraley (Jennae) Dakota Lee Fraley (Yair) and Noah Almond. His three siblings Cythia, Sencion and Bennie as well as numerous nieces and nephews who loved and respected him.
There are also those who have gone before him. Parents-in-law, church friends and family. We believe they were all there at the finish line as Dad ended his worldly race and ran into the arms of his savior. We hear them rejoicing and shouting “Well done good and faithful servant”.
Lee’s Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 16th at 4pm at First Baptist Church Melbourne 3301 Dairy Road.
Flowers can be sent to First Baptist Church Melbourne at 3301 Dairy Road.
Donations are also welcomed to his favorite charities:
Noah Almond Mission Trip
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Giving Page – Hope 106
