Raymond D. Martinez, 74, of Florence died Sept. 9 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita from injuries sustained in an auto accident Sept. 2.

He was born Jan. 6, 1940, to Juan and Josephine (Morales) Martinez Davara of Florence.

One of 13 children, he became a sergeant in the Army, serving for 16 years, including in Vietnam. He married Beatrice Kay Cogdill on Oct. 10, 1961.

He worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation until his retirement. He was an avid Marion High School sports fan and enjoyed gardening.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bea, daughter, Tina, and seven brothers: Mike, Joe, Marcos, George, Benito, and two infant brothers.

He is survived by three sons: Marcos of McPherson, John of Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, and Reyes of Newton; one brother, Lupe of Newton; four sisters, Dorothy Pineda and Louisa Gomez, both of Chicago, and Angie Garcia and Betty Guerrero, both of Newton; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Father Darrin May conducted a funeral Mass Sept. 17 at Holy Family Parish, St. Patrick’s Church in Florence. Veterans from the Marion and Florence area were casket bearers and performed military rites. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established with the Marion High School athletic department.