Federico “Fede” Martinez, 89, of Plant City, died Oct. 7, 2013.
Mr. Martinez was born July 17, 1924, in Mexico City, Mexico, to the late Eusebio Rosendo Martinez and Luz Oliva Martinez.
He received an advanced degree in mechanical and electrical engineering in 1951, from the Mexican National School of Engineering and prefaced that training with four years of professional work in aviation mechanics in Mexico. He worked from 1953 to 1994, in the Engineering Department of the American Agricultural and Chemical Co., in Pierce. For 60 years, he was a Legion of Honor member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration.
In 1952, he married the late Katherine Mays Merckle, of Plant City, in Mexico City. Mr. Martinez is remembered fondly as an honorable, charming and loving family man.
He is survived by his sisters, Cristina Elser, Virginia Calhoun and Luz Edith Martinez; his brothers, Gonsalo Martinez, Saul Martinez and Edsel Martinez; many nieces and nephews; and by his step-grandchild and godchild, Arden Mays Merckle Jr. He also leaves behind many cherished and longtime friends in Plant City.
There was no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations can be made in his memory to: Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, 106 S. Evers St., Plant City, FL. 33563.
