R.I.P. Jacobo Martinez, Father of Governor

Gov. Susana Martinez's father, Jacobo "Jake" Martinez, died Monday at the age of  80.  He had suffered Alzheimer’s for years.

Jake Martinez, a Korean war veteran, was known in the 1950s as a Golden Gloves boxing champion. He served as a deputy sheriff in El Paso County, Texas, and started his own security company, where Susana Martinez worked as a young woman.

State chairmen of both major political parties offered sympathies to the governor's family on Sunday night.

“The (New Mexico Republican Party) staff, officers, and I offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Governor Martinez and her family," said GOP Chairman John Billingsly in a statement. "We will continue to keep them in our prayers during this difficult time, and we appreciate Jacobo Martinez's service to our nation and to his community."

"I was deeply saddened today to hear about Susana Martinez’s loss," Democratic Chairman Javier Gonzales said in a statement. "Although we’ve had our disagreements on many things, we are all part of the same New Mexican family, and the governor and her family are in our prayers tonight."

The Governor’s office told the Associated Press that her father will be buried at Ft. Bliss in Texas. In lieu of flowers, Gov. Martinez suggests people make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association.