Hector “La Burra” Martinez, of Laguna Vista, Texas, passed away peacefully doing what he loved, shrimping on September 12, 2015 at the age of 65. Hector was a lifetime resident of Port Isabel and a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. He was a Vietnam Veteran, honorably discharged from the United States Army, and a Captain in the shrimping industry. He was preceded in death by his son, Hector Martinez, Jr.; his parents, Jose and Odulia G. Martinez; one brother, Homer Martinez; and one sister, Obdulia Garza. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Irene “La Darlin” Martinez; eight children: Analia Martinez, Joseph (Nicole) Martinez, Carolina (Tony) Villarreal, Graciela Martinez, Carmen Martinez, Denise “Bob” Friedman, Diane Zecca, and Jenna Martinez; sixteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Baldemar (Ana Laura) Martinez; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a holy rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 S. Longoria St., Port Isabel, Texas. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Military honors will be conducted at the church by VFW Post 2035 of Brownsville, Texas and V.F.W. Post 8791 of Port Isabel, Texas. Cremation will follow in accordance to his wishes. Serving as pallbearers: Dylan Perez, Juan Martinez, Elias Martinez, Roel Garza, Matt Martinez, Sebastian Villarreal, Daniel Villarreal, Joseph Martinez, Michael Leared, and Andrew Ramirez. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to V.F.W. Post 8791, P.O. Box 732, Port Isabel, Texas 78578. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort or sympathy cards to the family of Hector Martinez, Sr. at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.