Manuel de Jesus Martinez

Manuel de Jesus Martinez, lovingly called Manuelito, Manny, or Tio Manny, was born in San Miguel, El Salvador, on October 12, 1992, and came to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in November 1994, with his parents, Manuel De Jesus Martinez and Maria Aminta Molina, to start a new life in the United States.

Manny is the youngest of 7 siblings and was the loving uncle to 12 nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins and friends.

Manny attended schools within the Forsyth County System until graduation from North Forsyth High School. Manny continued his education by graduating with a bachelor's degree from NC Central University and is expected to receive his Master’s Degree in Business from NC State University on December 12, 2026. His career included working for the Greensboro Police Department as a patrol officer, the City of Fresno, and his most recent and current role as a Safety Coordinator with the State Utility Contractors, Inc.

Manny truly lived life to the fullest. He had a way of soaking up every moment and making the most of the experience life gave him. When he set his mind to something, he gave it his all and saw it through. He was incredibly lovable, well-rounded, knowledgeable, and accomplished, but more than anything, he lived with passion, purpose, and a genuine love for life. Throughout his life, Manny was known for traveling, exercising, playing video games, attending EDM music festivals, and playing soccer.

He recently began his newest adventures, playing hockey and DJing. He loved the outdoors, including camping, snowboarding, and hiking. Manny took great pride in his appearance and carried himself with confidence that was impossible to miss. From his masterpiece tattoos to his always-fabulous eyebrows, he had a style that was completely his own. Whenever Manny walked into a room, he owned it. His confidence, composure, and larger-than-life presence naturally drew people toward him. He didn’t have to ask for attention; his energy simply commanded it.

Manny would always be intentional about spending time and reaching out to his loved ones. He never met a stranger and welcomed all with the purest joy and contagious smile. He was adventurous and an unapologetic free spirit, always fearlessly pursuing new, exciting endeavors. His greatest joy was to intentionally be with family and friends and show up at a moments notice to events and celebrations. One of his greatest accomplishments was being a “Funcle,” which he introduced the term meaning, Fun Uncle.

Manny leaves a legacy of love, sacrifice, and courage to us all.

Manny was preceded in death by his brother, David Martinez.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Maria Molina (Arsenio) and Manuel Martinez; siblings, Maura Luna (Ramon), Marlen Martinez (Vicky), Veronica Maldonado (Alex), Milena Duque (Rafael), and Raquel Garcia (Octavio); nieces and nephews, Marisela Martinez, Ney Gomez, Mauricio Escobar, Karina Luna, Daniela Maldonado, Elizabeth Garcia, Rebeca Maldonado, Marvin Flores-Hernandez, Melvin Flores-Hernandez, Sofia Duque, Natalia Garcia, and Lucas Duque.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem. The family will greet friends at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, 3315 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, on Thursday from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.

There will be a celebration of life service and overnight vigil with his body present held by his family at First Alliance Church, 1601 Pope Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127, beginning at 6:00pm on Thursday.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family.

En Espanol

Manuel de Jesús Martínez, cariñosamente llamado Manuelito, Manny o Tío Manny, nació en San Miguel, El Salvador, el 12 de octubre de 1992, y llegó a Winston Salem, Carolina del Norte, en noviembre de 1994, con sus padres, Manuel De Jesús Martínez y María Aminta Molina, para comenzar una nueva vida en Estados Unidos.

Manny es el menor de 7 hermanos y fue un tío amoroso para 12 sobrinos y sobrinas, además de numerosos primos y amigos.

Manny asistió a escuelas dentro del sistema del Condado de Forsyth hasta graduarse de North Forsyth High School. Manny continuó su educación obteniendo una licenciatura en NC Central University y se espera que reciba su Maestría en Negocios de NC State University el 12 de diciembre de 2026. Su carrera incluyó trabajar para el Departamento de Policía de Greensboro como oficial de patrulla, la Ciudad de Fresno, y su puesto más reciente y actual como Coordinador de Seguridad en State Utility Contractors, Inc.

Manny realmente vivió la vida al máximo. Tenía una manera de absorber cada momento y aprovechando al máximo la experiencia que la vida le dio. Cuando se proponía algo, daba todo y lo llevaba hasta el final. Era increíblemente adorable, completo, conocedor y exitoso, pero más que nada, vivía con pasión, propósito y un amor genuino por la vida. A lo largo de su vida, Manny era conocido por viajar, disfrutar del ejercicio, jugar videojuegos, asistir a festivales de música EDM y jugar al fútbol. Recientemente comenzó sus más nuevas aventuras es jugar hockey y ser DJ. Le encantaba el aire libre, incluyendo acampar, hacer snowboard y senderismo. Manny se sentía muy orgulloso de su apariencia y se manejaba con una confianza imposible de pasar por alto. Desde sus tatuajes, que eran auténticas obras de arte, hasta sus cejas siempre fabulosas, tenía un estilo que era completamente suyo.

Cada vez que Manny entraba en un lugar, lo dominaba. Su confianza, compostura y presencia arrolladora atraían a la gente de manera natural. No tenía que pedir atención, su energía simplemente la exigía. Manny siempre encontraba tiempo para acercarse y compartir con sus seres queridos. Nunca nadie fue un extraño para él y daba la bienvenida a todos con la más pura alegría y su sonrisa contagiosa. Era aventurero y un espíritu libre sin disculpas, siempre persiguiendo nuevos retos e intereses personales sin miedo. Su mayor alegría era ser parte intencionalmente de un núcleo familiar, amigos, reuniones y celebraciones, y aparecer de inmediato en eventos y fiestas. Uno de sus mayores logros fue ser un Funcle, término que él mismo presentó como Tío Divertido. Manny deja un legado de amor, sacrificio y valentía para todos nosotros.

Dejan para atesorar su memoria sus padres, Maria Molina (Arsenio) y Manuel Martinez; sus hermanos, Maura Luna (Ramon), Marlen Martinez (Vicky), Veronica Maldonado (Alex), Milena Duque (Rafael) y Raquel Garcia (Octavio); sus sobrinas y sobrinos, Marisela Martinez, Ney Gomez, Mauricio Escobar, Karina Luna, Daniela Maldonado, Elizabeth Garcia, Rebeca Maldonado, Marvin Flores-Hernandez, Melvin Flores-Hernandez, Sofia Duque, Natalia Garcia y Lucas Duque.

Se llevará a cabo un servicio junto a la tumba a la 1:00 PM del viernes 11 de septiembre de 2026, en Forsyth Memorial Park, en Winston-Salem. La familia recibirá a familiares y amigos en Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, 3315 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, el jueves de 2:00 a 5:00 PM. Habrá una celebración de su vida de cuerpo presente y vigilia durante toda la noche organizada por su familia en First Alliance Church, 1601 Pope Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127, comenzando a las 6:00 PM del jueves.