LOCAL Houston | The City Guide FEBRUARY 2015 | Page 40

Local February 2015 final.qxp_002houston 1/26/15 1:57 PM Page 40

PEOPLE
FATHER TJ MARTINEZ, SJ
Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston
THE LARGER THAN LIFE, fearless leader of Cristo Rey Jesuit Prep School

passed away after a battle with cancer over Thanksgiving in 2014.
Those who had the chance to meet and interact with the Jesuit priest
walked away inspired and happy. Father TJ Martinez’s happiness and
enthusiasm for whatever he happened to be working on that moment
(and it was usually a bunch of things at once) was contagious. This is
probably how all of his goals in his way too short life were achieved.
I can only believe that God had a plan for him all along, and he knew
he didn’t have a lifetime to get it all done. The Catholic high school
Martinez established in 2009 combines personal responsibility, academic rigor and a corporate work-study program to empower students
of all faiths from economically challenged families to reach their full
potential. Since its inception 100% of his students have been accepted
to college. The legacy he leaves will never be forgotten and remains
in the children who will become the leaders of tomorrow thanks to
Father Martinez’s belief in them.
By Carla Valencia de Martinez
Photography by Cody Bess

40 L O C A L | february 15