Robert Mark Martinez

Robert Mark Martinez went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 5, 2021, surrounded by his wife, Lorine, and their children.

Born on April 25, 1959 in Van Nuys, California, Robert, a proud Mexican American, was the oldest of three children and treasured his role of big brother and protector. At age of 12, Robert began his work serving others in the restaurant business at Beeps, a hometown institution. He worked all the way through high school, and with extra change in his pocket, Robert began to experience southern California as a teenager in the 1970s. His work at Beeps sparked a love of cooking and inspired his life's work. He learned that the most simple pleasures, good company, music and food, defined a fulfilling life.

His career brought him to Houston, Texas where he served under the executive chef at Tony Mandola's Blue Oyster Bar and the famed Ninfa's. He mastered cooking a variety of cuisines, winning the Mardi Gras Cajun dish cookoff and was known for the recipes he created when opening the Mexicali Border Café in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Robert met Lorine, the love of his life at Mexicali, and together, they blended a family of four children: Jessica, Jacob, Gary and Zack. Robert embraced fatherhood and gave much of his time coaching his boys on the Jenks football field, fishing with his kids, serving in the church and organizing family camping trips.

The Martinez home was a safe haven for friends, family and those in need of a meal or a place to chat. Robert's hospitality was palpable; his belly laugh, warm smile and incomparable meals that drew all to his home. He said "cooking is the best thing you can do for somebody" and felt each dish he made offered comfort and enjoyment. Robert intently listened to those across the table and advised others to find passion and live out their purpose.

The last two years of Robert's life were some of his best. He found great fulfillment in serving as dietary manager for Wagoner Community Health Hospital. He loved to watch people morph from thinking of working in his kitchen as "just a job" to that of an artist, designer, and happiness maker. He spent countless hours fishing, his favorite pastime, on Lake Fort Gibson. He believed fish "must swim three times - in water, in butter, and in wine."

He is greeted in death by his father Manuel Martinez, and his grandmother Tilly "Nana" Molina.

On Friday September 10, Robert welcomed his father, Matt Mulqueen, with open arms to heaven, likely with a fishing pole in hand.

Robert leaves many loving memories with his family: wife Lorine Martinez; his mother Rachel Mulqueen; sister Olivia and her husband Gilbert Bautista, brother Ray Martinez, brother-in-law Arthur and his wife Noell Greeno, daughter Jessica and her husband Jeremy O'Dell; sons Gary McCullough, Jacob Martinez & Zack Martinez and wife Bonnie, grandchildren Riley and Colton O'Dell, Michael King, Channing Regan, and Addison and Boston Martinez. As well as an abundance nieces and nephews who adored Robert.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Wednesday September 15 at 6:30 in the evening located at Schaudt Funeral Home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Robert Martinez Memorial Fund, where the family wishes to continue his legacy and work for his community.