Juan A. Martinez, 73, of San Benito, TX, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Harlingen, Texas. Juan was born September 13, 1948, in San Benito, TX to the late Juan and Eva Martinez and was known to his family and friends as “Jam”. Juan was retired from the United States Navy where he served his country faithfully and was stationed on the USS Intrepid, Essex-class aircraft carrier built during World War II, where he was a landing signal officer aboard the ship. After his military service, Juan was employed for over 30 years and retired from AT&T (Southwestern Bell) Telephone Systems as a station installer and finished his career as an installer repairman. Juan’s greatest love, other than his family and friends, was being an avid fisherman, out on the water in his boat trying to catch the perfect fish. He spent many hours and days on the water finding the best fishing holes at the Arroyo and in the bay at South Padre Island. His passion was not only for fishing, but also being a great outdoorsman. He extended his love of being out in the brush or in the woods hunting all over Texas and riding in the King Ranch to hunt big game in Colorado. He enjoyed adventurous traveling to see the sights in other states and enjoyed playing his lucky numbers in the Texas lotto. His love for sports carried for many years locally with “Jam’s Gang”, local baseball and softball teams, which created many friends, great memories, and many lasting stories for all to tell. Lastly, but not least, he enjoyed cooking and barbequing for his beloved family and spent many hours cooking large benefits for friends and family in need. Juan is survived by his daughter Clarissa (Frank) M. Achtsam of Harlingen, his 5 siblings Santa (Frank) Serrata, Peter (Sara), Margarita “Margie”, Daniel “Danny” (Leticia) , and Maria de Jesus “Susie”; nieces and nephews: Stephanie, Frank, Michelle, Tori, J.D., Samantha, and Pete; great-nieces and nephews: Krysta, Jordyn, Andrew, Thor, and Laurel. Finally, the family would like to acknowledge Jam’s best friend and partner of over 30 years Shirley Graham who predeceased him in 2020 for faithfully being so devoted to him and continually creating life’s adventures through their years together; and their niece Sherri Graham Neufeld and her family for her compassion, caring, and love. Please join us in celebrating his life. Public visitation will be held at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home, 395 S. Sam Houston Blvd., San Benito, Texas on Thursday, May 12, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. praying the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service and mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in San Benito, TX. Interment will follow at San Benito City Cemetery. For those unable to attend we welcome you to view the church service livestream by connecting to www.facebook.com/queenandjoseph. The family would like to extend many thanks to Lucy Eliserio and her staff at Hope’s House Senior Assisted Living in Harlingen for her wonderful care and compassion to Jam until his passing. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Juan A. Martinez at www.thomaegarza.com.