Raul "Bimbo" Martinez

Weslaco- Raul "Bimbo" Martinez passed on to his eternal Heavenly home on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the age of 65 at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas.

He was born in the home of his maternal grandparents' in Donna, TX on April 5, 1957 to Monserrato Martinez and Arsenia Esquivel Martinez.

For the first nine years of his life, Raul lived in Chicago, IL and attended Seward Elementary School. At the age of nine, he moved back to Donna, TX with his parents and siblings and attended school there. Upon moving to Donna, TX, he and his family became migrant farm workers and Raul spent many summers traveling to various states-Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio. What was an adventure to him as a young boy eventually became a way of life as he grew into a young man. He lived in Donna for most of his life and moved to his sisters' home in Weslaco two years ago so they could better care for him.

Raul had a joyful personality and a great sense of humor. One couldn't be sad in his presence because of his beautiful smile and infectious laughter. He and his brother Jose enjoyed playing football in high school. As an adult, he loved watching football and basketball. The Dallas Cowboys and the San Antonio Spurs were his favorite teams. He enjoyed watching western shows on the GRIT TV Channel and listening to Tejano music. He also loved his dog, Chloe.

Family was important to Raul. Time spent with grandparents, aunts, uncles and first cousins that were more like brothers and sisters was very special. He had a lot of fun playing cards with his mother and family friends. During these fun times, they stayed up very late and there was much laughter and lots of coffee drinking.

Raul is survived by his siblings Ricarda Martinez [Ricki], Juanita [Janie] Martinez Whitaker, Jose M. Martinez, Jr. and Rita Martinez (Jorge); his nephews John W. Bonee, Jr., Michael J. Bonee (Kristy) and James A. Bonee; his nieces Adrianna Martinez (Angelica) and Analyssa Martinez (Cesar); five great-nieces (Sarah, Nathaleen, Natasha, Vivian and Olivia) and four great-nephews (Michael Jr., Jonathan, Jacob and Jake).

Raul was preceded in death by his parents Monserrato and Arsenia Martinez, his brother-in-law Thomas E. Whitaker and his nephew Javier A. Rodriguez.

Visitation for Mr. Raul Martinez is scheduled for Tuesday, August 9, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 6:00 pm at Salinas Funeral Home- Chapel of the Heavens in Weslaco. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at 10:00 am at Salinas Funeral Home- Chapel of the Heavens. Interment will follow at Donna City Cemetery.

Funeral Services have been entrusted to Salinas Funeral Home of Weslaco.