MSGT (RET) Alejandro (Alex) Antonio Martinez, of Denver, Colo., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, at the age of 85 at Veterans Home Fitzsimons in Denver, Colo.

Husband of the late Matilda (Mattie) Martinez (Gonzales); son of the late Benecio and Antonette (Manzanares) Martinez; father of Brian (Laura) Martinez of Baltimore, Md., Monica (Jim) Henningsen of Loveland, Colo., Dianna (Ralph) Martinez-Datoc of Phoenix, Ariz., Elizabeth (Dave) Bode of Waterloo, Ill.; grandfather to Alexandra Martinez, Sterling Kelley, Conner Kelley, Tyler (Casey) Henningsen, Anthony Henningsen, and Mason Bode; and great-grandfather to Maja and Mikko Henningsen.

He was also preceded in death by his daughter Nadine (Martinez) Kelley.

Alex was born June 6, 1937, in Rio Grande County, Colo. He grew up in the farmlands of the San Luis Valley, picking potatoes and playing all sports. He graduated from Sargent High School in 1955 and was the first wrestler from Sargent High School to make it to the State tournament.

Alex, a proud Vietnam Veteran, serving his country for 20 years in United States Air Force. Serving in multiple locations coast to coast of the United States, including a mechanic for the SR71 Blackbird, and retired as Master Sargent.

While serving, he continued his education by attending Yuma College in California, and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a degree in History.

After his retirement in 1978, he moved his family back to his home state of Colorado. Alex had a passion for travel and was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel all over the world (over 30 countries), however, he often returned to “the Valley” to visit with distant cousins, old friends and to support local events; his favorite being The Stampede.

There will be a military burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 12 p.m.