Jose Garcia Martinez of Mason passed away on Thursday, April 9, at the age of 77. He was born on January 20, 1949, in El Ejido Cristales, Municipio de Jiménez, Coahuila, Mexico, to Juan Garcia Gonzales and Amalia Martinez Rodriguez. He was raised in Mexico, where he later married his beloved wife, Margarita Garcia Buitron, who preceded him in death.

In 1998, Jose and Margarita moved to Mason to be closer to their family. Although Jose attended school only through the second grade, his intelligence, strong work ethic, and perseverance led him to secure a dedicated position as a ranch hand with Roy and Sheila Cooper, where he worked for approximately eight years. During his time on the ranch, Jose was known for being prompt, dependable, and good-natured. He took great pride in his work, feeding and tending to goats, refilling deer feeders, fertilizing pecan trees, building fences, and repairing water gaps. Jose was an exceptional fence builder who took immense pride in every project he completed—so much so that Roy once described him as a "master" of his craft.

He also worked as a ranch hand for Seth Comer, where his duties included building fences, working cattle, and performing a variety of other ranching tasks. In addition, he worked with Terry McMillian in Rocksprings, Texas, where he trained and broke horses and ponies.

Jose enjoyed working with all kinds of farm animals, but he especially loved horses. From a young age, he had a passion for them and took great pride in breaking and training them. He also enjoyed listening to Hispanic music and loved to dance. Whenever he had the chance, he would attend dances with his late wife, Margarita Garcia Buitron.

Jose cherished the simple pleasures in life. He never passed up any food his daughter Ana prepared, especially her nopalitos. He was also known for his love of coffee and sweet treats, particularly pan mexicano and capirotada.

Jose Garcia Martinez will be forever cherished, deeply missed, and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Jose is survived by his three daughters: Ana Luis Garcia Buitron and Max Maldonado of Mason; Elizabeth Garcia Buitron and Jacobo Vasquez of San Carlos; and Amalia Ojeda Garcia and her husband, Juan Antonio Ojeda, of Granite Shoals. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Norma Mora and her husband Lucio; Aleyda Reyes and her husband Jose; Nidia Juarez and her husband Juan Salazar; Erendy De La Rosa and her husband Ignacio; Andrea Balderas; Brenda Juarez and her husband Juan; Alondra Braxton and her husband John; Bricio Balderas and his fiancée Ashlee; Javier Juarez; Alina Garcia-Ordonez; Jose Juarez; and Cesar Omar Juarez, as well as 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Margarita Garcia Buitron.

Visitation with the family will be Monday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00.  The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 14, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in the Gooch Cemetery.