A Legacy of Family, Music, and Service
At the heart of The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation is a story of love, resilience, and a family's deep-rooted commitment to community.
Our father, Homero Martínez, was a man of many gifts. By profession, he was a dedicated educator, spending 37 years in public education. He began his career as a schoolteacher and spent many years at Eastside Elementary in Del Rio, TX, where he inspired generations of students with patience, humor, and heart. Later, he transitioned into the role of school counselor at San Luis Elementary in Eagle Pass, TX, where he guided countless children and families with compassion and wisdom.
But beyond the classroom, our father had another passion that defined much of his life: radio. For over 40 years, he immersed himself in La Música Tejana, not as a job, but as a hobby. He was a beloved radio personality, someone whose voice was known across the border region, not only for the music he played but for the warmth, joy, and connection he brought to every broadcast and the community.
In the 1990s, our family came together to turn his beloved radio station in Acuña, Mexico, into a true family business. Just across the border from our hometown of Del Rio, Texas, in Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, the station became an integral part of our identity.
Our father served as the soul of the station, the radio personality known as Mr. Tejano Shuffle, bringing energy and culture to life. My brother, Rodney, took on the role of director of sales, helping to build strong community ties with artists and businesses alike. I served as the program director and producer of the show, managing music, scheduling, programming, and producing the commercial announcements that kept the station running with rhythm and heart.
We organized artist interviews, autograph sessions, and events at local businesses in Del Rio and Acuña to raise awareness about new artists and share our love for Tejano music.
Our father taught us that both education and service are powerful tools for uplifting others, whether in the classroom or over the airwaves. When he passed away from heart failure in 2015, it left a deep void, but it also lit a spark in both Rodney and me to carry his legacy forward.
Rodney stepped up with pride, continuing to use the radio platform to promote emerging Tejano artists and bring the community together. He supported local events and established a special partnership with Julio’s Chips Restaurant in Del Rio, a beloved gathering place where artists became an integral part of the community. Stories were shared, and lasting memories were made.
Rodney had a natural gift for connecting with people, and his joy in honoring our father’s legacy was felt by everyone around him. His passing has left a profound void in the Del Rio community, where his presence, generosity, and ability to bring people together are deeply missed.
In January 2025, we lost him unexpectedly to heart failure, a loss that was not only personal but deeply felt by many. He was more than my brother; he was my partner in shaping the early vision of this foundation. Though he didn’t live to see its official launch, his heart is present in every part of this mission. His love for our community, his commitment to music, and his desire to give back continue to guide me every step of the way.
And now, I carry the torch for both of them.
As a nurse with nearly two decades of experience in advanced heart failure care, I’ve dedicated my life to helping patients and families navigate the very journey our own family has lived. I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Detroit Mercy, specializing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult-Gerontology with a focus on Advanced Heart Failure.
The Homero Martínez Heart Failure Foundation was created to honor my father, and now, my brother, to serve the communities they both loved so deeply. Through advocacy, education, and access to specialized care, we aim to reach families in rural and underserved areas who are too often left behind in their fight against heart failure. This mission begins in the place closest to our hearts, our hometown of Del Rio and the surrounding areas, where our family’s story began. From there, we are expanding to neighboring border towns, carrying forward a promise to uplift vulnerable communities across the Texas-Mexico border and, in time, throughout the entire state. What began as a personal journey of love and loss is now a statewide initiative, rooted in service, driven by passion, and guided by the belief that every heart deserves a fighting chance.
One Heart, One Community at a Time
Our story is one of faith, family, and service. It began with a teacher’s voice in a classroom and a radio signal crossing borders, and today, it continues through a foundation built on compassion, connection, and community.
This is our story. And now, it’s a story we share with you. One Heart, One Community at a Time.