Oscar Martinez October 1, 1957 - January 2, 2024

Oscar Martinez passed away on January 2nd, 2024 at Utah Valley Hospital at the age of 66. He was born on October 1st, 1957 in South San Francisco, California. He was the 4th of five children. Oscar is preceded in death by his parents, Adalberto and Agustina Martinez, and his sister, Belvia Hernandez.

Oscar spent his childhood in South San Francisco and Santa Clara, California. He had a happy childhood with his brothers and sisters, sledding down the vacant lot on cardboard, and visiting the Silver Terrace plant nursery where his dad worked. They loved driving around the neighborhood in golf carts. When Oscar was 7, the family moved to Santa Clara. Santa Clara was filled with pear orchards at this time. They built forts in the orchards and floated rafts on Guadalupe Canal. They shot BB guns and sling shots until Oscar shot his brother Rick, and that was the end of that. They took trips to Texas and Mexico to visit relatives and read comic books in the back of the station wagon. Oscar had a paper route for many years and his siblings and his Pa Fidel helped him fold the newspapers. He loved working and making money. Oscar’s parents taught him to serve, to fix broken things with a bit of hard work, to love the Lord, and to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In his 20’s, Oscar was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served in many callings over the course of his life. He especially loved serving the youth, and took every opportunity to serve those around him.

As a young man, Oscar loved tennis, baseball, basketball, and spending quality time with his family and friends. Oscar and his friends bought an old Palomino and called themselves The Palomino Club. Together, the Palominos created a softball team, and made many trips to Tahoe to ski, and  loved to ride their motorcycles on Hwy. 17 to Santa Cruz.

Oscar received his Bachelor’s Degree from San Jose State. Oscar and his sister Belvia participated in an internship in high school with Pac Bell. They were telephone operators. Pac Bell turned into AT&T. At the end of his career he worked on a merger between AT&T and British Telecom. He was a loyal employee to AT&T, retiring at the age of 48 after nearly 30 years in the company.

On September 26, 1987, Suzanne Forsling and Oscar were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. They started their journey together in Livermore, California. Their daughter Leslie was born in 1989. From there, the trio moved to Modesto, CA, then to Belle Mead, New Jersey. Next they moved to Colorado where their son Max was born in 1994. Suzy’s dad, Jerry, came to live with them and they enjoyed this experience so much. Oscar and Jerry had a very sweet relationship. While in Colorado, Oscar would often go golfing at 5:30am with friends from their ward, referring to it as, “a spiritual experience.” It really was. He loved the friendships he made in Colorado.

After his retirement, Oscar, Suzy, Leslie and Max moved from Highlands Ranch, Colorado to Utah. They lived in Springville while building their home in Mapleton. 15 years ago Oscar and Suzy built their home in Spanish Fork in the neighborhood where Suzanne grew up. Oscar served on the High Council for our SF West Stake and finally felt like he fit in when he mentioned who his father and mother in law were. Everyone knew Jerry and Joan Forsling.  From that moment, he was in! He served in the BYU 17th Stake as High Councilman. He wasn’t a BYU fan before he received this calling. But as he spent years at BYU working with the students he served, he became a BYU fan. Now he could talk about BYU sports with his brother’s in law Mike and Edwin. Oscar loved serving at the Provo Temple and the Payson Temple in the Baptistry. He was so in awe of the young men and women who thought nothing of waiting for hours to do baptisms. He was so impressed by them.

Oscar loved spending time outdoors. When we came to Utah for our summer vacation for Fiesta Days, Oscar loved taking all the kids to Hobble Creek to do “the creek walk” behind Uncle Brent’s cabin. He had an ulterior motive…he made them collect golf balls for him.

Oscar was an avid reader before he lost his eyesight. He read many books per week. He especially loved Sci-Fi. He also loved Sci-Fi movies, cowboy movies and army movies. Oscar often went to the drive- in movies with his dad and brothers. His love for all things Godzilla has been passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Oscar loved life. His greatest joy was spending time with the grandkids. He was their best cheerleader at games, their biggest fan, their greatest ally. He fought so hard to stay with them as long as he could. He had traveled the world for work, but his favorite place to be was at home with family.

He was blessed beyond measure with four grandchildren, Isabel Christensen (13), Miles Christensen (11), Finn Christensen (7), and Sam Christensen (4).

Oscar was a beloved father, cherished granddad, best looking brother, and dutiful friend. He loved the Lord, and served others endlessly. Even in his last months and years, when his physical capability began to wane, he spent his time seeking ways to serve his loved ones in their times of need.

Though his final years were filled with many limitations, frustrations, and ailments, he rarely complained. He was grateful for every moment spent with family, friends, children, and grandchildren. His family was his ultimate joy.

Oscar was so grateful for our wonderful neighbors who have helped us shovel snow, bring in groceries, and be there for Suz. We are so thankful for Mt. Nebo Dialysis for their kind and loving care for Oscar for the past 7 years. We are so grateful for the help of our kids Leslie, Cade, Max and Emily.  We have been so blessed.

Oscar is survived by his wife, Suzanne Martinez, his children Leslie Christensen (Cade Christensen), and Max Martinez (Emily Martinez), and his siblings, Rosa Wozab, Tito Martinez, and Rick Martinez.

Oscar was so very loved by his family, he will be missed.

A visitation for Oscar will be held on Saturday, January 6th from 1:00 pm MST – 1:45.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 pm MST.

SF West Stake Center

575 W 400 N

Spanish Fork, UT 84660