Michael Rodolfo "Sato" Martinez, 19, of Bay City passed away Feb. 2, 2009. He was born July 6, 1989 in Bay City, TX to Rodolfo and Rita Garcia Martinez. He lived life as a happy-go-lucky young man with a wonderful sense of humor. He had enormous love for his family and his friends. One of his favorite past times was spending time with his Pepo Chico and his Dad riding horses, roping and working cattle, enjoying stories of his Pepo's youth. He would rope just about anything. Michael was known for his unwavering sincerity, respectfulness and kindness.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Ray and Inez Garcia and his uncles Larry Martinez and Rene Martinez. Survivors include his parents Rodolfo & Rita Martinez of Bay City; sister Erica Martinez of Houston; brother Matthew Martinez of Bay City; paternal grandparents Aurelio "Chico" Martinez and Maria Ana Martinez of Markham and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Mass will be 10:00 AM Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Rev. Dan Morales officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. His cousins Eric Martinez, Adrian Martinez, Roland Rodriguez, Jr., Robert Rodriguez, Ray Anthony Garcia, Garrett Garcia, Cody Garcia and Keith Morales will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Trey Treybig, Chris McKinley, Zack Maulberger, Robert Fry and Hatchet Hallmark. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Catholic School.