Brother to Chris Mitchell (Tom), Becky Turner, Michael Ambriz (Ligaya), Adele Ambriz, Laura Neff, Lisa Miles and David Ambriz, Jr., Marty was always the ultimate big brother; he took the job very seriously, always protecting his siblings. At St. Pius X High school, he lettered in football and wrestling. Marty became an Eagle Scout and member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, which had a lifelong impact on his character and love of the outdoors. He took the mottos “On my honor,” and “Be prepared” very seriously, applying them to all aspects of his life.
He met Darlene Piccinini, his “brown-eyed girl,” in 1977, and they eloped to California. He was a “professional” mountain man for three years, while they lived in a cabin on Cobb Mountain. He and Darlene moved back to Kansas City to be near family and start a family of their own. He began his career with the City of Kansas City, which spanned 38 years. He was an engineer tech for the aviation department and a project manager within numerous departments in the city. He received Employee of the Year in Kansas City for his work preserving MCI Airport during the Flood of ’93.
Father of Sarah Fustos (Jacob), Zachary Ambriz (Ashley) and Anthony Ambriz (Zoe Carter), grandfather of Kensley Bolek and Nora Ambriz (and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews). Marty coached his children in baseball and wrestling, and taught them how to enjoy the great outdoors. As a manager, coach or father, he had high expectations of himself, and he excelled at helping others meet those expectations for themselves. He instilled the values he learned from his family; they (and countless others) received a lesson for every situation – whether they asked for it or not! His kids also have fond memories of playing with Dad; he’ll forever be the “Toes-enator.”
In his spare time, Marty enjoyed spending time with his fishing buddies. For more than 30 years, they went on an annual fishing trip to Arkansas to catch trout and roughhouse. He and Darlene started a second era of life in the woods, cultivating a plot of land in southern Missouri, and eventually placing a cabin on the land, complete with running water and electricity. They both want to leave a legacy for their children. He spent a lot of his time visiting with his parents, sharing stories and learning exactly how to make his father’s prized salsa.
Marty and Darlene have been married for 42 years, and they rarely tired of each other’s company. Marty was a man who loved God, Family and Community – in that order. He had a meticulous commitment to all he tackled. When encountering a situation, his sons and their friends would ask themselves, “What Would Marty Do?” All the lessons he has taught his family will stay with them forever. He left a big footprint and it will always be prominent in many people’s lives. “We really, really, really liked him a lot.”
