Vincent Martinez

Vincent Albert Marinez, 62, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. He was in the Hospice Center of St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He was born on July 25, 1963, to Alberto and Annie (Solis) Martinez in Newton, Kansas.

Vincent graduated from Newton High School in 1981 and was an extremely proud member of the NHS Wrestling team, coached by Delbert Erickson and Jack Thaw. His senior year, under then head coach Thaw, he was undefeated, winning 34 matches and the State Championship. About a month later, he won the Grand State HS Tournament in his weight class.

This was an independent event that took place at Century II in Wichita where the top finishers of each KSHSAA (6A, 5A, etc.) championships were invited to compete and determine who was the best in their individual weight class.

His parents were especially proud that he achieved all of this while maintaining a B+ grade average and working part-time at North Dillons.

Vincent became the fifth State Champion wrestler in his family history. His father, Alberto, was the first 3-time State Champion for NHS in 1960, 1961, and 1963. His cousin, Eddie Oquendo, won State for NHS in 1966. That summer, Eddie moved his family to San Bernardino, California, where he became a two-time CIP and State JC Champion and Pac-8 titlist at UCLA. His brother Richard Oquendo also won a CIF State Championship at that same time. Vincent’s other cousin, Steven Islas, won a State Championship while wrestling at East High School in Wichita, Kansas.

Thanks to the persistent efforts of former coach, Jack Thaw, Vincent will be inducted into the Newton High School Athletic Hall of Fame this year. His father, Albert, was inducted in October of 1997.

After graduating from Newton High School, Vincent learned to apply his decision-making skills, that most wrestlers acquire because of the individual competitiveness of the one-on-one sport. He became the manager of the Bakery Department for North Dillons. He was also employed with Southwestern Bell in Wichita, worked for a short time as a departmental manager with Walmart and later ended his work career with Ardent Mills in Newton, retiring in December of last year. He especially enjoyed his time and fellow employees during the many years that he worked there.

Vincent was preceded in death by his older sister, Angelina Romero; his mother, Annie; his younger sister, Rebecca Lambert; and his son, Nathan Albert.

He is survived by his daughter, Abigail (Jon) Pinkerton; his father, Alberto; younger brother, John (Jennifer) Martinez; and numerous nieces and nephews.