Lucas Jesus Martinez, M.D.
January 9, 1944 ~ May 21, 2021
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Lucas Jesus Martinez, M.D., passed away on May 21, 2021 at the age of 77, in Rocky Mount, NC.
Lucas was born on January 9, 1944 in the province of Leon, Spain. He was the son of Josefa Veiga Arroyo and Ubaldo Martinez Perez, M.D. He had an idyllic childhood in rural Spain. His father was a family physician who traveled by horseback to treat patients throughout the region. He followed in the footsteps of his father in the pursuit of medicine.
Lucas attended the largest boarding school run by Jesuit priests in Spain. He received a degree in Philosophy from the Universidad de Comillas, Spain and then studied medicine at the University of Madrid. After finishing medical school, he practiced general medicine for two years in rural Spain. He met his wife of 52 years, Lois McLean, in Spain, where she completed a junior year study abroad program at the University of Madrid. They married on April 26, 1969 in Leon, Spain.
At Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut, Lucas completed a Rotating Internship. He did a first-year surgical residency at Albert Einstein Northern Division Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his Neurosurgical Residency at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia. After completing residency, he was an attending physician and rose in the ranks to Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
In 1980, Lucas and his family moved to Rocky Mount, NC where he became the first Neurosurgeon in Nash, Edgecombe, and Halifax Counties. He practiced medicine at Nash General Hospital for 38 years. He also saw patients at Halifax Medical Specialists in Roanoke Rapids, NC. During his nearly four decades of practicing in Rocky Mount, he served as an ambassador for the community in encouraging other elite neurosurgeons to relocate here as well. He also served as Chief of the Medical Staff for Nash General Hospital during his tenure in Rocky Mount. He ended his career in the distinguished position of clinical professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He was a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the Nash County Medical Society.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Jose Luis Martinez, M.D. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lois, children Ana Martinez, M.D. of Kansas City, KS, Julian Martinez and wife, Renee, of Rocky Mount, NC, Adrian Martinez, and wife, Pam, of Santa Monica, CA; his grandchildren Lucas (19), Joshua (16), Noah (13), and Caroline (5). He is also survived by his brother, Ubaldo Martinez Veiga, Ph.D., his wife Ingrid Martinez Outschoorn, Ph.D., of Madrid, Spain, and their children Ubaldo Martinez, M.D., of Philadelphia, PA, and Verena Martinez Outschoorn, Ph.D., of Amherst, MA, Diego Martinez Pellegrini, Sara Martinez Pellegrini, Ph.D., their spouses, and children.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 331 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Father Tim Meares celebrating. Burial will follow the Mass at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and relatives on Monday, May 24, 2021 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. Masks encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lucas' memory to the Boy Scout Troop 5 of First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount. Memorials may be provided via Venmo @troop5 or checks made out to Boy Scout Troop 5 and sent to First United Methodist Church, 100 South N. Church St., Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Monday 5/24, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The family will receive friends and relatives on Monday, May 24, 2021 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. Masks encouraged.
Service
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
331 Hammond Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 5/25, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 331 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Father Tim Meares celebrating. Masks encouraged.
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Tuesday 5/25, 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Burial will follow the Mass at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
My condolences to the family of Dr. Martinez. A very genuine physician that cared about his patients and colleagues.
In memory of Lucas Jesus Martinez, M.D., Lisa Cooper lit a candle
My Dear Lois and family, No words can express the love and respect Eloit and I have for Dr. Martinez. He was my hero,spent many hours in Room # 5 at Nash, Love and prayers to all. Linda
Dear Lois, My love and admiration to YOU for All that you have always been as the Loving Heart of your extraordinary family. Lucas was such a remarkable man and doctor, I know he will be missed and remembered by all as he proceeds to his Heavenly Home. Love and prayers, Gracie
Dear Lois, My love and admiration to YOU for All that you have always been as the Loving Heart of your extraordinary family. Lucas was such a remarkable man and doctor, I know he will be missed and remembered by all as he proceeds to his Heavenly Home. Love and prayers, Gracie
Thinking of all the Martinez and extended family. Lucas was a kind man and will be greatly missed by you all as well as the many lives he touched and saved along the way.
In memory of Lucas Jesus Martinez, M.D., Mary Bailey lit a candle
I was so very sorry to learn of Dr. Martinez’s passing! After much research trying to find the best neurosurgeon, Dr. Lucas Martinez was the one I chose to do my back surgery in 2012. It was definitely the right decision. He was truly the BEST of the BEST in his field! Dr. Martinez dedicated his whole life to his patients and their care. If you had a medical question, he was always straightforward in his answer and you could count on it being right! I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and prayers to Mrs. Martinez, their children, grandchildren, and other family members. Rest in peace, Dr. Martinez, you have left your mark on this world and undeniably earned your rewards in heaven!!!
Lois, I was so sorry to see this about Dr. Martinez. He was an integral part of our medical society and will be missed by all of us. I have missed seeing him this past year. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do for you and your family. My prayers are with you all.
My deepest sympathy to Lois and family. I worked with Dr. Martinez many years in surgery. He taught me a lot….. sometimes tough love that helped me in later life. I will always remember his teachings, kindness and genuine empathy. He was a great surgeon and man.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Martinez. I was blessed to have him as my surgeon, a few years ago. He was truly a gifted and compassionate surgeon. My deepest condolences and prayers to the family.
Lois my deepest sympathy and sorrow on the passing away of Lucas. He was a great person and neurosurgeon.He will be greatly missed.My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Love Vince
In memory of Lucas Jesus Martinez, M.D., Ms.House lit a candle
In memory of Lucas Jesus Martinez, M.D., Stacey Drake lit a candle
Lucas was a close friend, colleague, and clinician. I enjoyed working with him at Nash General Hospital for 30 years. He was an excellent neurosurgeon. His kindness and love for his patients was remarkable. He will be sorely missed. Our families have a very close relationship. My deepest sympathy to Lois and family.
My Condolences to Dr. Martinez family.He will be miss by many.I remember he took me under his wings in Operating #5 taught me all about spine,neck,brain,hand and many more nerve procedure.He was one of the Greatest Neurological Surgeons That every body would want him to their Doctor.He always had a funny story to tell.Im praying for his family we all will i miss him also.Rest in Peace
In memory of Lucas Jesus Martinez, M.D., Eric Cook lit a candle
Prayers for the Martinez family. May you be blessed with sweet remembrances of your husband, father and grandfather’s life.
Dr. Martinez was an amazing man! Love working with him in OR 5 for many years at Nash General. I learned so much from him as he was always willing to teach us. Prayers for Lois and the family. He will truly be missed!
Our family is so sad about the loss of this wonderful Doctor . Dr Martinez operated on our son 22 years ago when no one would touch him. My son recovered 100 % of his health He then operated on me 2 times in 2012 and 2017. Thanks to his great ability. I am also doing well today. Our prayers are with the whole family. We know nothing we say can change this May the God of comfort be with you
We are so sorry to hear of Lucas passing. He will always be remembered as a kind and caring man. When our first child was born in Bridgeport Hospital he was the second person to hold her. My husband was not allowed in so Lucas brought her out to George so he could hold her. He was such a nice man. We will always remember him and his kindness. Marcie & George Logan
We are so sorry for your loss. You are very much in our thoughts and we’re glad you get to be with family during this difficult time. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Sending love to you and your family during your time of bereavement.
What a wonderful person he was. I worked at clinic in Roanoke Rapids where he came, he also did surgery on several family members of mine. We often shared pride stories of our first born grandsons..they were born close together. So much joy was in his eyes. Great man & will surely be missed. So sorry for your loss.
What a wonderful person he was. I worked at clinic in Roanoke Rapids where he came, he also did surgery on several family members of mine. We often shared pride stories of our first born grandsons..they were born close together. So much joy was in his eyes. Great man & will surely be missed. So sorry for your loss.
Dr Martinez was such a wonderful employer. I learned so much from him and loved his jokes. He even took time out of his busy schedule to come to my nursing graduation ceremony. My deepest condolences for the family.
My prayers are with the family and all who Loved him during this time of sadness. He was a great doctor and healed so many with his hands. Thank you for your service
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending much love to your family during this difficult time.
I worked with Dr. Martinez in the OR at Nash. At first I was very intimidated by his presence. He was such a towering man. Just being in his room made me very nervous, but as time went by I soon learned he was such a caring, and gentle man . He was a master at what he did and it was an honor to be in his room as a tech, and to be and extension of his hand as we did surgery together. He would work long hours to complete the task at hand and when he was finished it was truly SOMETHING THE LORD MADE
Our condolences to the family. We would continue to pray for the family. He was a true family man who lived his wife , children snd grandchildren as he proudly spoke about them . We would truly miss him. He was very caring and compassionate surgeon who would go an extra mile to help a colleague. Barcelona Football Club has lost a die- hard supporter. Mitch & Nana Mah’moud
Lucas was a doctor’s Doctor and a great friend. He will be forever in my thoughts.
Dr Martinez was a great man. He will be so missed by all. Adrian so sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry to hear about Dr. Martinez passing away, it was in my hometown paper today, he did my back surgery in 1990, he helped me so much, my thoughts and prayers are with his Family, take care and GOD Bless You🙏🏻
I am so sorry for your families loss. Dr. Martinez was a wonderful man and physician. I truly enjoyed working with him during my time on 4 North. He will be truly missed.
Lois I am so sadden of hearing of Dr Martinez passing. I was his practice manager for a short time. He was smart kind and the perfect person to work with. I am so sorry for your and your family loss. It was apparent to me his love for you and your family. Please know that I am praying for you.
I am so sorry for your loss I remember your husband and you from the office where I worked on Peachtree St in Rocky Mount. I always enjoyed talking with you about our grandson’s born the same year. I pray that God will bless you with strength and the peace that passes all understanding
May you Rest In Peace, Papa! Love, One of your Favorite PACU Nurses who will never forget you and the love you had for your patients and the nurses who helped you take care of your patients! I’m so glad that I got to see you and Lois last Fall! You brightened my day! I love you!
In memory of Lucas Jesus Martinez, M.D., Dr. G. Michelle Shiver lit a candle
My condolences to the family.
I am so very saddened to hear of the loss of Dr Martinez. He was a special man and a great Neurosurgeon. I used to work for him years ago and would often five him to see patients at Halifax Regional in Roanoke Rapids….he was such a very kind and caring soul. Ms Lois you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Dr Martinez
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I dearly loved the time I spent in Rocky Mount as your PA and will forever be thankful to have been welcomed like part of your family. I am sure you are now a guardian Angel!!!
Sentimos mucho la prdida del primo Lucas, queremos acompaaros en estos momentos tan tristes. Sentid todo nuestro cario desde Valencia-Espaa. Un abrazo muy fuerte para toda la familia.
Ana – I was so sorry to hear this news. I only remember meeting your dad briefly once or twice. But when my mom worked at the hospital she often talked about how kind and wonderful he was – and what a great doctor he was. As a teenager, I didn’t pay much attention! But now I know I missed out on a very special person. Love to you and your mother.
Lois and family, I , just this minute, saw that Lucas passed away. I am so very sorry. He was such an absolutely great guy. I always loved it when we had the chance to visit. If I had known, I certainly would have been at his service to show my respects. Will be in touch. Bunn
Lois and family, I , just this minute, saw that Lucas passed away. I am so very sorry. He was such an absolutely great guy. I always loved it when we had the chance to visit. If I had known, I certainly would have been at his service to show my respects. Will be in touch. Bunn
We shared beautiful memories of Spain on several occasions. There is a deep sadness in our hearts. You will be missed very much