Liborio Luna Martinez

Liborio Luna Martinez, a beloved father, husband, grandfather, and friend, passed when the Lord called him to heaven on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in his hometown San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Vigil, Guanajuato, Mexico to Atanacia Luna and Julian Martinez. Liborio was one of nine siblings, having lost his twin brother only at a few months of age. His youngest sister Josefina says that out of all her siblings, he was the most humble and caring. 

At a young age, Liborio knew he wanted to explore, what to him were, the unknown lands of the United States of America. He would lie in the fields of Guanajuato and look at the sky and thought to himself, “one day I’ll leave my land and travel to different parts of the world. I want to get on a plane and fly like the birds in the clouds, with no care in the world.” 

At the age of 17 he left to work in Jalisco, Mexico. He worked for only seven months and returned to Guanajuato only to learn of the passing of his father, Julian. He was heartbroken as he never got to say goodbye. He would always remember it as one of the biggest regrets of his life. But he was strong and courageous and knew life didn’t stop. He then went to Piedras Negras and worked at the coal mine for two years. After that, he went to the U.S. and arrived in Phoenix, AZ. He was back and forth between Mexico and Texas. In 1984, he ended up in San Antonio, TX. This is where he meet the love of his life, Abigail. He knew it was love at first sight and on their first date, (which happened to be on their shared birthdate) he asked her to marry him. Although she originally said no, they wed in court in August. Then the Pastor of their church at that time offered to marry them and held their church wedding on the 8th of September in 1984; thus beginning their journey of love. The Lord blessed them with three beautiful children Melody (Timoteo), Abigail (Miguel), and the answer to his biggest prayer, Elijah, his only son. He is also survived by two wonderful grandchildren, Christian and Camila. 

Liborio was a wonderful father, a true provider for his family. He always wanted the best for his family. He worked from dusk-to-dawn. However, he would take time to create wonderful memories with his daughters. He would take them to recreational parks, the zoo, theme parks, shopping, farms, out to eat, and most of all, take them with him to work his landscaping jobs. He loved his daughters very much but he still yearned to have a son. God eventually blessed him with his son Elijah and his heart was full. 

Liborio worked at the Army Residence Community (ARC) for 37 years. Many knew him as “Primo.” The majority of his time there was spent in the landscaping department working as a groundskeeper. He loved planting trees, flowers, and plants; he was blessed with a green thumb. During the Christmas season, he loved helping the retired vets and decorated their homes with their lights. He was a dedicated man, always working above and beyond with no complaints, and a smile on his face. He was a man of honor and great work ethics. If you ever drive by the ARC, many of the trees that you would see were planted by El Primo, as they bring peace and joy to the current and future residents. 

Liborio was an amazing man who was passionate about his family and church. He was a man of God. He was an active member at his church, Iglesia Pentecostal Torre de Santidad, where he had served for 25 years. In those years, Hno. Liborio had many titles. He first became an Usher, not much longer after that he was appointed as the Secretary of the Men’s group, Hombres de Valor. Liborio loved to go on the outings with the other men’s members, and would even have eating contests when they ate at buffets. Usually he won because he could eat eight, nine, up to 10 plates of food. He later was anointed as one of the church elders where he gave life advice to the members and visitors. You could always find him rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. If he wasn’t jumping for joy, you could find him running around the sanctuary filled with God’s spirit. Later, God called him through the Pastors, Miguel and Sandra Mojica, and was then anointed as the Deacon of the church along his wife, Abigail. He was always so thankful to God, and whenever he had the privilege to share a song or testimony that’s exactly what he did. He would either give a short testimony of how God had again helped him by not falling and/or healing him. You would then hear him sing his one hit wonder, “Más Allá Del Sol.” Maybe he wouldn’t be in tempo, but he always sang from his heart. You could see how happy he was when he sang to God. At one point, he also served as the men’s president for Hombres de Valor, where he set the example what a true man of God is. He enjoyed playing the tambourine, his maracas, and just jumping of happiness. He loved to help the Pastors in whatever he could do, which was cutting the grass outside the church and keeping it nice and clean. Whenever members of the church wanted to get baptized in waters, he would assist the Pastor, and you could find him in many of the pictures taken of the baptisms throughout the years as he was the right hand man. He may have been a quiet man, but he knew the word of God, and God would always use him to give words to many people throughout his lifetime. God always used him at the right time, and Liborio knew how to encourage people when sharing his testimony. In 2021, he also joined the Unites States Chaplain International Association (U.S. C.I.A) and helped share the word of God and His plan of salvation to those in need. 

Even in the last months of his life, he touched many hearts. Little did he know God used him and he touched the hearts of nurses, doctors and other patients. Because of the path he was given, the ministry opened doors at a nursing facility where the church now has weekly services to its residents and many have accepted the Lord as their Savior. 

Needless to say Liborio was a true servant to his Lord and Savior, with whom he now rests in peace. Free of the worries of the world and in rejoicing with his Lord. Liborio you will be missed but it’s not a goodbye but a see you later. As we know that together we shall soon rejoice with you. We will forever love you and miss you!