Martin Anthony Alvarez

“Marty” Alvarez the ever proud Marine lost his courageous last battle and slipped into the realm of the fallen heroes on September 21, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. Marty was born in Lawrence on June 14, 1949,to his parents Frank and Irene Alvarez now deceased. He spent his formative years in Eudora and took on the responsibility at a young age of being the protector and guardian for his mother and his five brothers and sisters.

Marty graduated from Eudora High School in 1967 after playing four years on the varsity football team. Upon his graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was deployed to Viet Nam. After being in country for a little over two months, he suffered a permanent debilitating injury to his leg from a landmine that exploded while he valiantly came to the aid of his platoon during an intense fire-fight. For his bravery, he was awarded a Purple Heart. While enduring months of intensive rehabilitation at the Veterans Hospital in Chicago, he met Cindy his future wife.
A life-long Jayhawker fan, he returned to Lawrence and enrolled at KU where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree. He worked at various jobs to support himself and underwrite his education expenses including at the Hallmark Plant and the TRW facility in Lawrence. Upon graduation he spent the next twenty years building a successful career with the AFG Glass Company receiving numerous promotions and management positions in Spring Hill, Kansas; Victorville, California and Cinnaminson, New Jersey.

After his retirement, he and his family moved to Phoenix where Cindy could pursue her life-long love of horses in the tranquil southwest and where they could enjoy being near their grandchildren. Despite a life of physical pain, Marty maintained an unbounded love and pride for his family and his Jayhawks.

He is survived by his wife Cindy Reed/Alvarez, his daughter Celeste Alvarez/Plitz her husband Greg, and two children Aeric and Kayla; his son Martin Alvarez, his wife April and sons Jagger and Sawyer. He is going to be forever missed by his brothers and sisters: Carmen Alvarez/Poe, her husband Bud and family; Angela Alvarez/Reed husband Jim and family; Anita Alvarez/Abel her husband Carl and family; Steve Alvarez and family; David Alvarez his wife DeAnn and family. He will also be mourned by his many friends, extended family members, fellow Marines and business associates.

A memorial and mass celebrating his life will be held on October 19 2013, at the Holy Family Church in Eudora at 10:30 AM. All are invited to share the love and admiration he garnered his whole life. Semper Fi!!