Jess Martinez Jr

Jess Martinez Jr. found peace on January 14, 2024, at the age of 78. Born on April 9, 1945, in Bakersfield, California, to Jess Sr. and Prima.  Jess made a lasting impact on everyone he met. His final days were spent in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he passed peacefully in the night, surrounded by the love of his nearby family.

Jess's life was one of service and accomplishment. After serving with distinction as a First Lieutenant in the Vietnam War, he pursued higher education with vigor, earning a juris doctorate from the University of California – Davis. His dedication to justice brought him to Wisconsin, where he became a founding member of the State Public Defender's Office in both Waukesha and Milwaukee. His passion for his heritage drove him to help establish the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyer Association, and he worked in close affiliation with La Casa de Esperanza. He served as Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge in the 1980s, a position he held with honor and integrity, and he practiced as a brilliant trial attorney and mediator for many decades thereafter.

Jess was a man of the law, but not without many other interests and talents. In his younger years, he played the trumpet for the Royal Coachmen, a Latin and American rock and roll band. His love for history was evident in his avid collection of old war memorabilia and his success in restoring a central, downtown Waukesha property to State Historical status. He enjoyed deer hunting, roughing it up at the cottage in Northern Wisconsin, and taking cross-country trips to Morro Bay, his absolute most favorite place ever. Of all things, model trains brought him much joy, even more so when his grandson dove into the hobby, too. And Jess took immense pride and delight in apprenticing his son in the law and was always there to offer guidance and support. His legacy also includes making the best Chili Verde you will ever find.

Above all, Jess cherished his precious family. He is survived by his son Nicholas Martinez and daughter-in-law Sheila, his grandson Forrester, and his other little ones Aristole, Everest, and Jasper. All of them were the light of his life, and he took immense pride in their every achievement. He will be mourned by his ex-wife Donna Paul, and by his sisters Cynthia Dahlgren (Derek) and Sandra Martinez Perez (Miguel). He once again stands by his son Gabriel Martinez and his sister Norma Ramirez, who preceded him in death.

Jess Martinez Jr. will be deeply missed, but his spirit will continue to inspire those who knew him. His contributions to the field of law and his commitment to his family will remain as a lasting tribute to a life well lived. Jess's story is one of resilience, dedication, and love, and though he has left this world, his memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those he touched.