Ronnie "Big Ron" Martinez

Ronnie “Big Ron” Martinez, 82, of Hanford, California, passed peacefully in his sleep at home on January 4, 2025, surrounded by family, with Virgie, his sweetheart of 59 years, at his side.

Ronnie was born February 23, 1942, in Earlimart, California, to Ignacio and Margaret. The third of seven children, they enjoyed a loving, close-knit family upbringing, and worked side-by-side in the produce fields of Central California. He attended local elementary and middle schools, and graduated Hanford Joint Union High School in 1960.  

After high school, Ronnie joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Ticonderoga, completing many overseas tours of duty with shipmates that remained lifelong friends. During his service, he met the love of his life—Virginia Romero of Hanford. They were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in 1965. Honorably discharged from the Navy in 1966, Ron and Virginia settled in Hanford where they raised two sons and two daughters. Ronnie worked as a tire builder, retiring from Pirelli Tires in 1993. A mentor and teacher, Coach Martinez volunteered his time to share his passion for baseball, managing Little League teams for fifteen years.

Ronnie took great pride in his family, and loved unconditionally, ending every conversation by saying “I love you.” He had many interests, but none more important than attending to the needs of his family and wife Virgie.  Big Ron was devoted to his eclectic collection of friends that spanned the country. Once you befriended Big Ron you had a loyal, trustworthy friend for life… and you felt it.

Big Ron is survived by his wife, Virginia, his children Ronald Jr (Olga), Robert (Karah), Lisa, and Sylvia; his grandchildren, Melinda, Naomi, Ronnie (Ron Jr), Megan, Shelby, Elijah (Robert), and Davian (Lisa); his great-grandchildren, Jaylen and Josiah (Melinda), Asher and Santana (Shelby); a great-granddaughter on the way (Ronnie); and his brother Louis, and sisters Hortence and Hope.

Welcoming Ronnie to Heaven is his father Ignacio, mother Margaret, brothers Ernie and Jesse, sister Ida, and grandson Ronald III (Ron Jr.)

Services will be held on January 23, 2025, beginning with the memorial service at 10:00 am, at Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Home, 100 W. Bush St., Hanford, CA. The internment will follow at 12:00 noon at the Hanford Cemetery, 10500 S. 10th Ave., Hanford, CA, followed by a reception at the Hanford Fraternal Hall, 1015 N. 10th Ave., Hanford, CA.

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