Steven Gregory Martinez was born Feb. 9, 1970, in Monte Vista, Colo, and passed away into the Lord’s care, at the age of 53, surrounded by his family and friends who he loved so much on the morning of Oct. 24 just after 1 a.m.

His life and career encompassed a broad range of work and devotion to the communities of Del Norte, Center, and the county he lived in. His work and passion included coaching high school wrestling, football and working with athletes.

He was driven to attain the best from those he met, to encourage, direct and positively influence all he passionately supported.

Early in his career, Steve worked in heavy construction, logging, landscaping but eventually the Lord led him into law enforcement with the Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Department and later, the Del Norte Police Department where he worked for a large part of his career.

He transitioned to the Director for Behavior and Safety for the Center Consolidated School District, there he worked with the students, faculty, and members of the community. His passion was in full display as the Director, exhibiting his creativity in a liaison capacity, coordinating the needs of students, the responsibilities of the school and handling the challenges of education, family, and student life.

His life was filled with a long list of hobbies and passions, hunting, and fishing with his family, traveling and learning new methods of behavior management, loving the outdoors and Jeep riding in the mountains, singing, and playing instruments.

Music was a large draw to his life, and he was known for his creativity when he would ad lib music. His personality was infectious, his charm was endless, his giving was unending. If you ever knew Steve, he left an impression.

He will be missed immensely by his wife Karen and son Seth.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He has an amazing and large family extending from his three sisters and one brother, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, countless nephews and nieces, uncles, aunts, cousins, and countless friends who his life intertwined and interfaced.

He was an extraordinary man who loved freely and shared without end his talents and love of service to others.

Donations can be made to Steve Martinez Memorial Fund at the Del Norte Bank.