Cristobal Jose Martinez, 82 was born to Elosia Madrid Martinez and Adonis Martinez in 1940 in Villanueva, NM. Moved to Belle Fourche, SD at a young age with his 4 older brothers, 4 older sisters, and one younger sister. His parents moved to Belle Fourche to work in the beet fields. They stayed for their remaining years. Crist attended school there and joined the Navy and was honorably discharged. He began a relationship with Shirley Tipton of which he had two daughters, Lavanda and Cindy. He later moved to Rapid City and reconnected with a friend from his teenage years, Karen Madison and from this relationship came his youngest daughter, Kristine.

Crist spent the rest of his life in Rapid City, raising his daughter and grandchildren. He worked as a roofer and jack of all trades. He would take on any job that came his way, even if it was just working on cars to help people out.

Crist was loved by anyone to have pleasure of knowing him. His humor was a huge part of who he was. Most couldn’t think of the crazy hilarious things he would say without needing a moment to come up with it. The true definition of quick wit, which passed down to his grandkids and great grandkids. He was kind to any and all people regardless of who they were. The most compassionate person you could meet in a lifetime. He would give you the shirt off his back and never ask or expect anything in return. TO KNOW HIM IS TO LOVE HIM. Anyone who knows him would say the same.

Crist was very close with his daughter Kristine and was the best dad and grandpa anyone could have been blessed with. He didn’t go a day without calling and asking about his grandkids and great grandkids. He cherished his family unconditionally, including any nieces and nephews and was very close with his niece Paula Ramirez and her son Zach Martinez.

He is survived by his daughters, Lavanda Martinez, Cindy Martinez, and Kristine Martinez; Grandchildren; Santana Martinez, Jesse Brown, Raven Brown, Shandon Stephens, Joey Dube, Steven Dube, Kellie Alexander, Michael Hensen; Great Grandchildren; Kaden Martinez, Deven Martinez, Brooklynn Houston-Martinez, Kasen Hernandez, Kato Uribe-Santana, Kayliah Uribe-Santana, K”Moni Brown, Kenzi Brown, Mosley Gruewald , Tala Alexander; and Special Friend, Barb Reineke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Julian, Johnny, Louie, and Reggie Martinez, sisters; Rita Benevides, Sadie, Fannie Strickland, and Josie Rodriguez, his grandson, CJ Martinez Garreaux and granddaughter, McKenzie Martinez Garreaux.