Martin Najera

Martin V. Najera

1953 - 2018

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Obituary of Martin V. Najera

Marty Nájera (Martin V. Nájera, Jr.) passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 24, 2018 in the home of his former partner and beloved lifelong friend, Jacqueline Holman. Marty is survived by his and Jacqueline’s child, Jasmine Notanee Nájera, and Jasmine’s husband Avery Keller. He also leaves behind two grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Avery “Red” Keller and Amani Keller.

Marty is further survived by his siblings: John Nájera, a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran; his sister and brother-in-law, Olga Nájera-Rámirez and Ronaldo Rámirez; his brother and sister-in-law, Roberto Nájera and Cecilia Nájera; and his sister and brother-in-law, Alicia Nájera and Russell Rodríguez. Marty also leaves his extended family including the children of his siblings and loved ones:  Monica Beas and Leonel Beas, Elisa Elena Rámirez, Breena Nájera, Shelly Nájera, Olivia Grace Peña, Morgan Peña and Linda Tran.

Marty was preceded in death by his father Martin V. Nájera in 1964, his sister Elena Nájera in 2011, and his mother Epifania L. Nájera in 2017. 

Marty was born in Santa Cruz, California on December 9, 1953 and lived in Davenport all his life, graduating from Santa Cruz High in 1971. Marty worked as a property manager for most of his adult life with the occasional forays into several other business endeavors. In his work, the relationships he formed, as well as providing quality services at a fair price, were always of utmost importance to him. He also had many hobbies and was as proud of his ability to fly airplanes as he was of his gardening skills. He earned a brown belt in his chosen martial art and above all loved traveling. He always managed to make friends wherever he went and seemed to fit in almost everywhere as if he were a local rather than simply a tourist passing through. In his lifetime, Marty managed to circumnavigate the globe, although for him there was no better trip than one that landed him on a warm sunny beach along the coast of Oaxaca.

A man of tremendous charm and good will, Marty was also disarmingly honest and blunt, and was never afraid to speak his mind. Friendly and funny, he was more than willing to regale both old and newly discovered friends with his many exploits and adventures which he told in an absorbing, witty and often outrageously humorous manner. Marty also had an especially soft spot in his heart for children. He helped raise the children of several of his siblings as well as many of the young ones in his own community. As a result, many who were not actually related felt as bonded to Marty as if he were indeed their own uncle too.

Energetic, a huge music lover and always independent in thought and action, Marty was always his own man. Willing to do exactly what his heart and spirit dictated, he remained committed to his morals and principles throughout his life. Even after myotonic dystrophy sapped him of all physical ability, he remained with a sharp mind, independent spirit, and an excellent sense of humor. He never saw himself as a victim of his terrible and fatal illness nor did he wallow in self-pity. Instead, he remained resolute in his quest for independent living, demanding always that he be treated as no more and no less than who he was and had always been. 

In the last few years, Marty knew he could count on the support of family as well as many members of the local community to assist him when he needed. Towards the end, he finally acquiesced to the horrible dictates of his disease, and for the better part of the last year was in the gentle and loving hands of Jacqueline Hohman, their daughter Jasmine, and Jacqueline’s son Morgan Peña who also shared a lifelong bond with Marty.  

Marty will always be remembered as a unique individual, a real character, an inspiration to those who knew him, and someone who really was ahead of his times. But above all, he is remembered as a true and loyal friend who loved his family deeply. He will be missed but he will never be out of our hearts. We love you Marty!


A celebration of Marty Nájera’s life will be held at the Pacific Gardens Chapel 1050 Cayuga Street, CA on Saturday April 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. We invite Marty’s friends and family to join us at a reception immediately thereafter at the home of Jacqueline Hohman located 1149 Larkin Valley Road, Watsonville, CA 95076.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. Make your check payable to Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (or MDF) and send it to:

Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation
1004-A O'Reilly Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94129

Or donate online at:
http://www.myotonic.org/node/81

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Saturday
7
April

Celebration of Life

11:00 am
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Benito and Azzaro pacific Gardens Chapel
1050 Cayuga Street
Santa Cruz, California, United States