+Javier Martinez, Supreme Director

Javier Sanchez Martinez was born to the late Ricardo and Santos Martinez, who worked tirelessly to provide for Javier and his three brothers, Ricardo, Ruben, and Robert. Their effort and devotion to their sons and their faith was influential in Javier’s life.

Javier was a loving and devoted husband to Marietta for 37 years. Together they raised two sons, Francisco and Alonso Martinez. As a family they grew up heavily involved in the Church, raising their sons to strengthen their bond with God and the Church.

He graduated from the University of Texas with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence and continued his professional career as a personal injury attorney for 33 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf, spending time with his brothers on the back porch, and spending time with his Knights of Columbus family and friends. He loved “family movie nights” which included pizza, popcorn, candy, and family-friendly pina coladas.

He devoted his life and effort to the Knights of Columbus as both a Texas State Deputy and later as Supreme Director. Javier was a leader who inspired countless men to dedicate their time to the mission of Father Michael J. McGivney. In doing so, this gave them an avenue to develop and/or deepen their relationship with Our Father and Our Blessed Mother. This in turn served to strengthen the relationship of their families, the Trinity, and Our Lady. His inspiration touched not only Catholics, but also those who got to know him in various aspects of his life. It is a mission that he continued to carry through his life and into his final days.

Javier is preceded in death by his parents Ricardo and Santos Martinez. He is survived by his wife Marietta; his sons Francisco and Alonso; daughters-in-law Jeanette and Stephanie; granddaughters Isabella, Abigail, and Brianna; mother-in-law, Mary Chavez, and devoted dog, Buttons. He is also survived by his brothers and their wives: Ricardo and Carol Martinez, Ruben and Norma Martinez, and Robert and Janet Martinez, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Texas State Council Dedicated their 2018 Annual Convention to Javier Martinez

WHEREAS Javier S. Martinez, was born to the late Ricardo and Santos Martinez in Matamoros, Mexico, he was raised in McAllen, Texas, working hard as a migrant worker who then later served in the U.S. Army, graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin in 1985, and practiced personal injury law for more than 33 years; and

WHEREAS Brother Javier joined the Knights of Columbus in 1991 and was an active member and Past Grand Knight of Holy Family Council in Missouri City, Texas, Council 7728, and a proud member of Bishop Morkovsky Assembly in Sugar Land, Texas, Assembly 2243; and

WHEREAS Brother Javier served the Texas State Council as District Deputy from 1995 to 1998 attaining Star District twice, Membership Director from 2002 to 2004, State Advocate from 1998 to 2002, State Treasurer, from 2004 to 2006, State Secretary from 2006 to 2008, and State Deputy from 2008 to 2010; and

WHEREAS Brother Javier, in his two year tenure as State Deputy, provided exemplary leadership recruiting more than 10,000 new Brother Knights and successfully attaining Supreme’s coveted Circle of Honor Award both years and having grown the Order in Texas to over 90,000 Knights, making Texas the third largest jurisdiction in the Americas; and

WHEREAS Brother Javier was always active in his parish, assisting with RCIA, and was recognized for his dedicated service and leadership by his selection to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 2009; and

WHEREAS the Supreme Board of Directors nominated Brother Javier to serve as a Supreme Director, such nomination being approved by the Supreme Convention in 2009, 2012 and 2015; and

WHEREAS in 2015, after retiring from a successful legal career, our Worthy Supreme Knight Carl Anderson named Brother Javier as a Special Assistant, assigned to assisting with Hispanic Outreach and with various special projects and assignments of vital importance to the Order, including home associations, membership, retention and recruiting; and

WHEREAS Javier and his lovely wife of more than thirty-six years, Marietta, have raised two sons, Francisco, who is married to Jeanette, and Alonso, who is married to Stephanie, and three lovely granddaughters Isabella, Abigail and Brianna; and

WHEREAS Brother Javier in his vocations as father, grandfather and Knight of Columbus has provided an exemplary model of leadership and service as a Catholic man and a Catholic gentleman; and

WHEREAS after a courageous struggle, Brother Javier passed away on March 2, 2018.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas State Council Knights of Columbus, assembled in Houston, Texas on April 27 to April 29, 2018, hereby dedicate this 114th State Convention in memory of our late and beloved Supreme Director, Past State Deputy, Former District Deputy and Past Grand Knight Sir Knight Javier Martinez of Sugar Land, Texas for his outstanding charitable and fraternal leadership in the Knights of Columbus and in Our Church; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that all Council Grand Knights, Program Directors and Lecturers pray the rosary prior to their Council meetings in May and June for repose of the soul of Brother Javier and for his family, and that all Councils ask their Chaplains, Assembly Friars, Parish Pastors, priests and clergy to have a Mass said for the repose of the soul of Brother Javier S. Martinez.