Charles Martinez, Jr., 86, of Bay City passed away August 15, 2014. He was born October 17, 1927 in Bay City, TX to the late Charles Martinez, Sr. and Annie Moralez Martinez.

After graduating from Bay City High School in 1945, Charles served in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant in Korea from 1945-1947. He worked as a printer at the Daily Tribune for 13 years and as a postal clerk with the United States Postal Service, retiring after 28 years of service. Known as "The People's Mayor," he diligently served the Bay City community for 12 years where he worked with many local leaders and caring citizens to create a better quality of life for the city. Since 2006 he has been employed as a real estate broker with Thompson Land Company.

Charles has left a lasting imprint on the Bay City community. His volunteer work is well chronicled with Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and various organizations including Bay City Chamber of Commerce, Bay City Community Development Corporation, Matagorda County Economic Development Committee, Economic Action Committee, Unite Way, Historical Committee, Red Cross, Little League, and the Girls Softball Association. He held memberships with the Knights of Columbus #3070, Life Member of VFW Post #2438, American G. I. Forum, Bay City Booster Club, Bay City Community Education, Lions Club, Texas Region K. Water Planning, Cen-Tex Committee, and Commissioner of Matagorda County Sheriff Reserves.

Charles received numerous awards and appointments for his extensive contributions to the community including Headquarters Bicentennial Branch Award, United States Postal Service Award, Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, and Bay City Independent School District Distinguished Alumni Recognition; he had also served as President of Matagorda County Board of Realtors and Commander of American Legion Post II.

While assuming many prestigious roles in his lifetime, he always maintained key priorities in his life – faith, family, education, and friends. He leaves behind his wife, Mary Louise Martinez; daughters Julia Anita Ebanks & husband Ernie D. Ebanks of The Cayman Islands and Cecilia Martinez of Austin; sons Charles Martinez III & wife Theresa of Bay City and Mario Martinez & wife Louanne of Austin; grandchildren Charles Fabian Martinez, Stephanie Nicole Martinez, Mallory Louise Warnock & husband Staff Sgt. Sean Warnock, Annemarie Ebanks, Avery Martinez and McKenna Martinez and great grandchildren Clarice Renee Warnock and Addison Marie Warnock.

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM Sunday at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be 10:00 AM Monday, August 18, 2014 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.