Darrell P. Martinez

Dear Renee and Family, I was a classmate of Darrell's at DeVargas Jr. High. He also knew my mother, Mrs. Maxwell who taught there. Darrell was indeed a very kind hearted individual and I was saddened to hear of his passing. Last year during this pandemic, I was on my way to work to cover another nearby office when my car began to slow down considerably. From all the way across town, I didn't realize what exactly what was wrong but had smelled a very strong odor of gasoline. The fuel line of my (still fairly brand new) car had been perforated by a rodent as I live in a semi-rural area and it had managed to get under the hood. Right as I began to turn into the parking lot of Sprouts off of Paseo de Peralta, my car failed right at the entrance of turning in and was partially in the way of traffic. It was early morning but people were in the store, so no one was around to be found. I was devastated. As I got out to approach the store or ask anyone I could find to please help me push it out of the way, Darrell came over out of nowhere and he and another gentleman who also saw what was happening, helped me. They told me what to do as the steering was very difficult to turn and they pushed me into the lot into a parking space. Just like that, Darrell out of the kindness of his heart sprang into action and the other gentleman joined him. I will never ever forget this and told him when I recognized who he was how grateful I was to him for his help that day! I truly wish you and your family all the comfort, strength, and peace you need to endure now and in the days ahead. With sincere sympathy and condolences, you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Shannon Maxwell