Funeral held for beloved priest, founder of school

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Hundreds of students and parishioners are remembering a Priest for his contribution to education in Houston. The funeral for Father TJ Martinez will be held at 7pm at the Co-Cathedral in downtown Houston.

Martinez died of stomach cancer last week. The Brownsville native was just 44. Martinez founded the Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School in Houston.

"He came to school at St. Mary's in Brownsville and I was the principal. He was a lovely child and he had a wonderful mother and a wonderful father," said Sister Gabriella Lohan. "I am so proud he turned out to be such a brilliant, young Jesuit Priest. It's a tragedy he has passed away but he did a lot of work in a short life. He really and truly made his mark, helped so many people and was such a wonderful young man."

Those who knew him well say he was full of charisma and had unmatched dedication. His mission when he opened the school was to provide an academically rigorous Catholic college prep education for children from economically challenged families. The school is now in its 6th year and has about 500 students. It's the only school of its kind in the entire state.

"He really had an amazing vision, an amazing person and to take you somewhere that far in your own heart, it was very cool to watch happen," said former staff member Maria Grasso.

"Two minutes with him and you are sold. You just want to follow him," said former staff member Jacquelyn Olexa. "You trust him. His leadership and vision and you want to help him build his mission."

Students looked up to him as a leader for their education and adults considered him a giant in the bigger picture of education reform.