Donny R. Martinez

When he was older, he would introduce himself to new people as “Don,” but to his family and many longtime friends, he was and always will be “Donny.”

Donny Martinez, our beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, dog dad and friend, passed away suddenly on October 22, 2024.

He worked in sales for Cogent Communications, but that was just his job. Donny’s passion was music, from the first day he picked up a guitar at the age of five. His mom often said she never worried about where Donny was as a kid in Las Vegas, because he was always in his room practicing guitar.

At age 16, Donny went to Los Angeles to follow his dream of being a rock ‘n’ roll star. Decades as a working musician took Donny on countless adventures. He wrote songs, jammed with his bandmates, performed in front of enthusiastic crowds and met many of his musical idols. His last regular gig was classic Donny. Playing bass in an ‘80s retro band, Past Action Heroes, he took on the persona of Don Johnson’s character in Miami Vice, complete with white jacket and pastel shirt. And he rocked.

Donny could view the world with child-like wonder. On a 2019 trip to Tulum, Mexico, Donny marveled at the exquisite natural beauty of this coastal town. His wife said, “He loved the beach. He would take late night ocean swims and be in awe of how warm the water was and how magical it was.”

Donny’s sister recalls his kindness. When they were kids, she was apprehensive about jumping from the rocks into the water during a visit to Lake Mead. “I knew if I didn’t jump, I’d probably never have another opportunity. Donny said to me, ‘I will hold your hand and we’ll jump together.’ We jumped. It meant the world to me.”

Donny was not without a mischievous streak. In 2020, not long before the opening of Allegiant Stadium, the future home of his beloved Raiders, Donny and his dad went by the construction site to take a look around. Seeing no one beyond the perimeter fences to question why they were there, they walked into the facility like they belonged there. They got a sneak preview of this incredible building weeks before it opened to the public. Nobody said a word to them.

Donny Martinez leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, curiosity and music. He is survived by his wife, Monique Boyer, his mother, Jeanne Allan, his father, Donald L. Martinez, his sister, Tobey Martinez, his niece, Donna Martinez, and his nephew, Billy Tejeda-Martinez.

A memorial for Donny will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Palm Southwest Mortuary, 7979 W. Warm Springs Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89113. A celebration of life will follow at 3:00 pm.