Obituary of David Ellison Martinez

David Ellison Martinez

January 23 1943 - May 8 2020

Born to Ellison and Stella Martinez, David was a simple man who loved the Lord, potato chips, his family, and the occasional avocado and sardine sandwich while watching football reruns. He leaves behind his daughter Andrea, granddaughter Ashley, four sisters, Jean, Stella, Judy, Lita, nieces, nephews and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, father, Ellison and mother, Stella.

He was no stranger to hard work. He began working when he was 7 years old, walking around the neighborhood offering to help with yard work or lighting the gas lamps at the synagogue on the Sabbath. This enabled him a few pennies that he would share, evenly, with everyone at home. On the off chance nobody needed any help, he and his red wagon could be found behind the produce stands collecting unsellable but perfectly good to eat fruit and vegetables. There was also the occasional stop at the potato chip factory to sneak in and fill a bag with the reject chips. It is no surprise he grew up to spend the majority his career in the grocery industry as a produce manager.

On days he wasn't at work, you would find him working in the yard, completing a puzzle or reading the Bible. While he enjoyed reading any of Gods word, he was extremely versed in the Old Testament and loved to discuss creation and the fall of man, revealing a deep love for the Lord.

David was not known to be short on words. He loved to talk almost as much as he loved to work. He was known for ensuring you understood the "point" of a discussion thoroughly and then some!

He had a goofy sense of humor and got great pleasure out of trying to convince you he was not the sharpest knife in the drawer, laughing at the look on your face in response to his "ignorance".

Unbelievably generous, he spent many an ocassion saying "They needed it more than I did." From paying for a random person's groceries, to giving up his bed to someone who needed it more, David had a heart that demonstrated Christ's love and felt honored to share his blessings with others.

Hard work, devotion to God, long discussions, a great sense of humor and unending generosity; David's entire life was dedicated to one thing, family. By blood or by marriage made no difference to him, every thing he did was an effort to make the family better, stronger, more loving and solid. Determined and with God's help, he successfully laid a foundation of love for the betterment of his entire family. He sacrificed himself daily to ensure that his "girls", be that his sisters, mom, wife, daughter and especially granddaughter, were taken care of.

He loved deeply, lived generously, laughed often and will be sorley missed.