Miguel Antonio Martinez's Obituary
Miguel Antonio Martinez (USAF, Ret.), 48, husband of Hebeluz Velarde Martinez, passed away on June 11, 2026, at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida, after a battle with cancer. Born into a military family on June 5, 1978, in Panama, he was the son of the late Artemio Martinez and Betty Jane Lancaster.
Along with his wife Hebeluz, Miguel is survived by his sons Jonathon and Benjamin, and daughters Layla and Michelle, all of Gainesville, Florida. He is also survived by his brothers Randy Martinez (North Carolina) and Joseph Martinez (Pennsylvania), as well as his sisters Michelle Lancaster Jolley (North Carolina), Debbie Martinez Burns (Pennsylvania), and Jennifer Lancaster Patterson (North Carolina). Also surviving are his father-in-law Freddy Velarde (Maryland), mother-in-law Maria Velarde (Maryland), and brothers-in-law Marco Velarde (Florida) and Marcelo Velarde (Maryland).
Miguel graduated from Chase High School in 1996 after a standout career on the football team, earning All-County and conference honors. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, proudly serving as an F-15 crew chief for twenty years. His assignments included Alaska, Okinawa, Korea, multiple duty stations within the United States, and wartime deployments to Saudi Arabia. Following active duty, Miguel studied at The Institute of Culinary Education in New York, becoming a classically trained pastry chef. He then matriculated at the University of Maryland, graduating with honors with a degree in Biocomputational Engineering. At the time of his passing, he was attending the University of Florida, pursuing a doctorate in biomedicine with a concentration in leukemia research.
With a generous and righteous heart, Miguel was a devoted family man and a true patriot who believed in service to faith, family, and country. He enjoyed football, fishing, cooking, automobile modifications, gaming, road trips and on occasion, carpentry.
Services will be held Friday, June 19th, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607. Viewing is scheduled for 10:00 AM, with Mass to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, where full military honors will be rendered. The family welcomes flowers or memorial contributions to a charity of one’s choice as a tribute to his life and legacy.
The service will be made available online by the family for those unable to attend but wishing to show their respects:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2634005254?pwd=l4kEcnfYN1I5qMGpA6ZhPIPHksYjWR.1&omn=74181032048
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