In Memory of Captain Raul "Rocky" Martinez Jr.

Name: Raul "Rocky"  Martinez Jr. Age: 39 Occupation: Pilot DOB: April 2nd, 1966 POB: Madrid Spain Hair: Short black cropped Eyes: Black Height: 6' 3" Weight: 190 lbs Identifying marks: None Place of Residence: Seattle Washington Family : Father: Raul Martinez Sr. Mother: Isabella Martinez. Brothers: Jose Martinez, 35, School Teacher Marital Status: Married, Lucille Martinez, for 15 years Children: Alejandra, 14. Jesus, 12. Miguel, 9 Languages spoken: Spanish, and English Interests: Flying, hiking, hunting

Background: Raul Martinez Jr. was born in Spain on April the 2nd 1966, the first of two sons to Raul and Isabella Martinez.  He was a happy child, who loved looking up at the stars. When Raul was five the family moved from Spain to Colorado near the Rocky Mountains.  Raul, who couldn't speak English very well when they moved, loved the out doors.  Raul's father became a Park Ranger, and Raul loved hiking in the mountains. He got the nickname "Rocky" from his mother because when he wasn't home, he could be found out doors.

No matter how hard Rocky tried, he was never good at school.  His mind always wondered to being out with the stars. He wanted to become a pilot and he wasn't going to let anything stop him. In Eleventh Grade, he started taking private lessons with his parents permission. They agreed to let him take pilot lessons, if he agreed to bring up his grades to a B grade point average. It wasn't easy, but Rocky was able to do it because he didn't want to give up flying.  And, he knew his parents would not allow him to continue if he didn't hold up his end of the bargain. It was during the summer year of him going into senior year that his father took him hunting for the first time with his brother. Rocky took to it, and loved the feel of a gun. Rocky toyed with the idea of becoming a police office but decided against it because he loved flying so much.

When Rocky graduated high school, he started working odd jobs so he could pay for Aviation school.  After two years of working and saving money he was able to afford to begin Aviation Flight School for Pilots in Florida. He continued working so he could afford to finish school. The Aviation Flight School was one of the few Flight Schools that guaranteed a position with an airline as a pilot.  Rocky excelled in the course, and his instructors knew he'd be a good pilot.

While working at Kmart as a stocker, he met Lucille Arnez.  She was a cashier, and Rocky was immediately taken with the 20 year old.  The two began talking and what free time Rocky did have, was spent with Lucille. The two dated for a year, and after graduation from Flight School, Rocky was assigned to the Seattle Hub of his airline, and he asked Lucille to marry him. A year later, his daughter was born followed by two sons. He missed two of his three children's births because of being on flights.  It was a hard life for a young man with a growing family but both him and Lucille knew that he would be miserable if he gave it up.  As he progressed up in rank, he was able to pick the best routes, and minimize overseas flights.  The flight from Japan to Seattle was not originally assigned to Captain Martinez, but he took it for a friend who was celebrating his wedding anniversary. Everyone at the airline liked Rocky, he is described as professional and devoted to his job and his passengers. His safety record was 100% and he would always turn back at the first sign of trouble.

Official Press Release from the Head of The Airline: "Captain Raul Martinez was a friend of mine. I have watched him handle many of planes, greet passengers with a smile for over 17 years. In my heart I know that Rocky took his last breath doing what he could to save his crew and the passengers on board.  I know nothing will sooth the pain of the missing, but please be assured that the one of the best pilots and co pilots was behind the controls of Flight 388. I know that They did everything in there power to keep your loved ones safe.  I extend my condolences to every friend and family of loved ones who perished aboard flight 388. We hear at the airline, have always been a family and the crew of 388 will be sorely missed by every staff member. We feel the loss you do, because we have suffered loss of close friends.   God Speed to all those who are missing." ~ Paul Licthore, head of Airline.

Player's Contact: [email protected]