Jose Samuel Martinez, 91, a lifelong resident of Chacon, passed away on Sept. 2, 2012, in his home in Chacon surrounded and comforted by his children.Jose was known as either Sam or Samuel and because of his horsemanship, outdoorsman ship, ruggedness, and strength he was nicknamed by some as "The Marlboro Man," "The Legend," or "Sam The Man." Sam was born on Aug. 20, 1921, in Denver, Colo. and at an early age his parents moved to Holman where they remained until the early forties when they moved to Chacon.At the forefront of Sam's character were his family and their well being, and at an early age he became his family's anchor. Sam being the eldest in his family and because of harsh economic times, he quit school at an early age to help his parents with the farm/ ranch work. Then at the tender age of 17, Sam joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), also known as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Tree Army," where he served and worked for two years during the economic chaos and unemployment that had gripped the United States. Eligibility requirements for the CCC were: excellent physical fitness because of the required hard physical labor, weight, unemployed, unmarried, and between the ages of 18 and 26. Young Sam met three of the five requirements, however, had to claim that he was 18 and ate numerous bananas prior to his weigh in. In the CCC, Sam earned $30 a month, with a mandatory $25 allotment check sent home to his family, and he often talked about his times in the CCC and what he learned.Having experienced the Great Depression and its end results, it was this experience and his work ethic that Sam instilled on all of his children. By teaching his children his personal philosophy of always "earning your own way" and the value and benefits of hard work. Sam was indirectly teaching them valuable life lessons and the importance of possessing ethics and faith. Sam valued education and entrepreneurship and often went without to ensure that his children succeeded in their endeavors and was always ready to help and support them.Of Sam's many attributes, "generosity" was at its foundation and he placed little to no value on material things. Sam never passed by a homeless person without giving and saying a kind work. He would say, "siempre ayudale a la pobre gente que necesita ayuda, y Dios te bendice mil veces (Always help poor people in need and God will bless you many times fold)."Sam was a man who enjoyed life to its fullest and on his own terms: "He did it his way" and he was a straight shooter. He shared with others his children and grandchildren's accomplishments and was very proud of all of them. Sam was always ready and willing to help all of his children and often did so without being asked. Sam possessed an immense amount of real life history that he lived through and he enjoyed sharing many of his good and bad life experiences with his older grandchildren and they enjoyed hearing his memories. He was the life of the party and never turned down a chance to dance or visit with friends. He enjoyed reading, horseback riding, hunting, spending time with his family and friends, playing cards, playing pool, watching professional boxing, his "cowboy" movies, a good glass of wine, desserts after dinner, politics, rides on the ATVs, and was always up to the challenge to arm wrestle.Sam and Josie were married in 1942 in Holman, lived in Chacon for a couple of years, then moved to Rock Springs, Wyo. where he worked as a miner in Green River. In 1956, they moved back to Chacon where they raised their family. Throughout his life, Sam worked as a miner, rancher, logger, school bus driver, deputy sheriff, sheriff, trucking, and construction. Sam also believed in giving back to his community and he served as the Mora County Democratic Party Chairman for several years.Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Josie Romero; parents, Sergio Martinez and Corina Arellano; in-laws, Richardo Romero and Senaida Martinez; two infant sons; daughter-in-law, Dolores Martinez; grandson, Ronald Martinez; brother, Felix Martinez; sister-in-law, Tonita Martinez; sister, Adela (Della) Montoya; granddaughter, Jennifer Griego; daughter, Corina Griego; sister Luicita (Louise) Zuvia; first-cousins, Fidel Martinez, Orlando Arellano, Clorinda Martinez, and Lila Candelario.Sam is survived by his sisters, Frances Sisneros and husband, Joe; Sileria (Sally) Archuleta and husband, Tony; Rosauda (Rose) Valmor; Elena (Helen) Duran; Consuelo (Connie) Trujillo and husband, Donnie; Celia Vigil and husband, Danny; Guadalupe (Lupe) Saavedra, and Dorthy Castillo and husband, David; and his five daughters, three sons, 31 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and their respective families: Genevive and Dan Sisneros of Denver, Colo.; Danny Sisneros and Nicci; Marie and Zack Kitteral, Miriah and Trinity; and Manuel Sisneros and Alec. Dolline and Willie Garcia of Las Vegas; Willie Jr. and Daniella Garcia, Kamie, Joaquin and Santos; Karen Garcia and Paul, Christopher, Enrique, Dominique, and Malayna; Pablo Garcia and Sandra, Michael, and Pablo Jr. Sarah Garcia and Brian, Amorray and Angelyse; Jacob Garcia and Arleen, Aaliyah, Nieves, and Lluvia; Jerry Martinez and Dolores from Chacon; Steve and Linda Martinez, Steve and Raymond; Travis and Miguel Martinez; Roberta and James Padilla; Justine, Julius, and Janae; Audrey Martinez and Isaac, Serena and Cheyenne; Joseph and Ruthanne Griego; Castillo, Ronald, Joseph Paul, and Dokota; Jason and Sandra Griego; Javis, Maryah, and Jason Jr. Tomas and Emeliana Martinez from Chacon; Tomas Isaac; Tomas Sergio, Marisia Emeliana, Antonio Elias, and Cruz Roman; and Anthony Martinez; Dickey and Charlotte Martinez from Las Vegas; Sam, Miguel and Candle; Mia, Sharlette; Payton Eve, and Richardo; Mae and Bruce Erickson from Chacon; Patricia; Devin and Trevelynn; Mark, Ursula and Dave, Lucia, and Marissa; Susan and Fred Montoya; Joseph Chavez and Stephanie Chavez; John Paul and Louella Chavez; Andrea, Jonathan, Alyssa, Kristen, and John Paul; Clare Chavez; Marcos, Leila, Delila, and Sean Andres; Mary Jo Chavez; Euvyn; Carol Martinez from Santa Fe; Nicole Torres, Adam and Josephine Torres; Adam Jr. and Austin; Surviving Godchildren are: Dorthy Trujillo (Vigil), Dorthy Castillo, Henry Sanchez, and Pasty Martinez (Olivas).Sam's rosary devotional services are scheduled for at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, Rogers Mortuary Chapel in Las Vegas and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6 at St. Gertrude's Church in Mora.Sam's funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 7 at Gertrude's Church in Mora followed by his interment in Chacon's San Antonio Cemetery.Serving as Sam's pallbearers are: Pablo Garcia, Jacob Garcia, Travis Martinez, Ronald Griego, Tomas Sergio Martinez, Miguel Martinez, Mark Erickson, Joseph Chavez, and Nicole Torres. Honorary pallbearers are all of Sam's remaining grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and great-great-granddaughter. Sharing Sam's eulogy will be Mr. Lauren Romero.Dolline's personal good-bye to her father is - "I hope you dance."Tomas' personal good-bye to Sam is - "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's (Dementia) Association would be appreciated to provide help and hope for others, and maybe someday a cure for dementia. To make a donation online, go to www.alz.org\donate, then link onto the "Tribute Memorial Donation" page, and make your donation in the name of Samuel Martinez, thank you.The family would like to thank all of Sam's extended family, friends, and neighbors for their prayers and delicious food. A heartfelt "thank you" is extended to Lola and Anna for all of their help, love, and tenderness in carrying for Sam. Tomas extends a special ''thank you" to Bobby Bernal, Gilbert Mondragon, Jerry Gonzales, Pete Martinez, Jr., and Paul Vigil for all of their help and special times/visits they spent with Sam - he looked forward to seeing and visiting with you. The family also extends their sincere appreciation to all of the staff from Ambercare for their professionalism, understanding, and passionate care that they provided to Sam during his last few days - "Thank You!"Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary, 454-3511 or 1- 800-479-3511, www.rogersmortaurynm.com