Irvin Joe Martinez

He is survived by his daughter Brenda Martinez, son Jason Lowry Martinez, daughter Katrina Martinez, by grandchildren, Jason Warwick Martinez, Angelena Eddy and her spouse Ray Eddy, Anthony Craigg, and one great-grandchild, Kiley Craigg, by his sisters Carolina, Angelina, Rose, Virginia, and brother Vincent. He is also survived by his wonderful friends and second family at the Arid Club in Lakewood, Puttin’ Sober, and countless others across the Denver Metro area and Colorado.

Irv was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Gregory Martinez, by his mother, Lucy and by his brothers, Max, Paul, Rudy, Lafayette, Richard, and Butch.

Irvin was born into a Depression-Era Family in Saguache, Colorado on December 1, 1933. As a young man he enlisted in the Navy, attending the Naval Photography School at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida in 1951. He proudly served aboard the U.S.S. Chourre (ARV-1) during the Korean War. After his military service he completed his studies at Mexico City College and the University of Copenhagen and began a long and distinguished career in civil service, working for the Department of Interior and the Department of Labor.

Irvin was united in marriage to Evelyn Salazar in 1960.

Irv was a grateful, active, involved, present, and beloved member of Alcoholics Anonymous, having celebrated 40 years of sobriety in November of last year. He openly thanked his God for this every day of his life in sobriety.

Irvin was a humble and thankful man, a colorful and sometimes salty character: a man with a huge heart and a lot of love to share. He loved and cared for his family tremendously. He had the gift of humor and he was always smiling. He will be truly missed.

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