Donald ‘Don’ Andrew Martinez, 52, former resident of Monte Vista, Colorado, passed away September 14, 2025, with his loving family by his side, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Don was a resident of Rock Springs, Wyoming, at the time of this death.
Don was born on March 9, 1973, to Elias Martinez and Mildred Joyce Garcia in Monte Vista, Colorado. Donny spent most of his adult life in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1992. After graduating, Don dedicated himself to serving others and was an EMT, a Little League coach and was the Battalion Fire Chief of the Sweetwater County Fire Department in Rock Springs, Wyoming. He remained in that position until his retirement in 2009 due to health issues. Don continued to help those around him in any way he could; he was an advocate for people with disabilities and suicide prevention and would often do motivational speeches.
Don was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and spending time in the mountains watching his favorite football team, the Raiders, and of course spending time with his family and friends. It’s difficult to put such a big life in such a small paragraph, but those who knew Don knew of his love of life, positive outlook, his dedication to his family and community, and will always remember his contagious laugh.
Don was preceded in death by father, Elias Martinez, his paternal grandparents Eli and Rose Martinez, his maternal grandparents Roman Garcia and Leonila Garcia and his uncle and godfather Joe Duran and other beloved family members.
Don is survived by his mother, Mildred Joyce Garcia of Center, Colorado, his son Isaiah (Kianna) Martinez of Rock Springs, Wyoming, his son Jacob (Jacqueline) Martinez of Rock Springs, Wyoming, his grandson Ezra Martinez of Rock Springs, his sister Sharon (Richard) Torres of Pueblo, Colorado, his girlfriend Lainie Walker of Rock Springs, Wyoming, his nephews, nieces, several cousins, aunts, uncles, and many, many friends, including his best friend who was a huge part of his life and more like a brother Dustin Levitt of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Don was blessed to have a second family who helped raise him and treated him as a son and brother, Tina (Joe) Duran of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Rene (Stacy) Duran of Laramie, Wyoming, Delmer (Vickie) Duran of Rock Springs, Wyoming, and Randy Duran of Rock Springs, Wyoming.
A Celebration of Don’s life will be held on October 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Center, Colorado.
