Gary Emil Martin

He was 80.

A visitation is scheduled at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery on Oct. 3 from 4-7 p.m. A service will be held at the Crown Hill Pavilion of Reflection on Oct. 4 at 11 a.m.

Known to family and friends as "Mickey," Martin was born in Denver in 1936 and later graduated from Adams City High School. He married his school sweetheart, Ann Hobbs, in 1956. She survives her husband following 61 years of marriage.

As a superintendent with Hensel Phelps, Martin led crews in the building of portions of Colorado structures that included Stapleton International Airport and later Denver International Airport. His list of construction projects included several in California and Maryland.

"Dad learned the trades from an early age. The whole family was in the business; his grandfather, his father, his uncles and cousins," said son, Gary R. Martin. "The stories were hilarious, often of mishaps and hijinks."

After more than 35 years with the Greeley construction firm, Martin retired and his involvement in church expanded, as he dedicated his service to Mountain View United Methodist Church in Boulder. He and Ann first joined the church congregation in 1973.

"He was very involved, including teaching Bible studies and classes, and working on upkeep of the building," said his daughter, Laura Geppinger.

Outside of work and the church, Martin was a lifelong Broncos fan.

He attended the thrilling "Orange Crush" victory in the AFC Championship on Jan. 1, 1977 in Denver where the Broncos beat their arch-rival Oakland Raiders, 20-17 to advance to their first Super Bowl. It ended in defeat against the Dallas Cowboys.

And he witnessed the crushing loss in San Diego when Washington Redskins defeated the Broncos, 42-10, on Jan. 31, 1988 in Super Bowl XXII.

Colorado's rivers and lakes were a passion in his earlier years. He fished, hunted and enjoyed outdoor activities along the Front Range and on the Western Slope. Camping trips were frequent and full of adventure.

Many of those outdoors trips involved a Coleman "pop-up" camper that he hauled throughout the Mountain West, recalls son Mark Martin.

In his later years, he was humbled by the game of golf and followed the Colorado Rockies.

A dedicated family man, Martin enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters, traveling with them on trips. He loved attending their school sporting and dance events. He was blessed with three great grandchildren.

He is a former member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, northern Colorado chapter; and the AF&AM Masonic Lodge, Lupton Lodge #119 in Fort Lupton.

Often with friends, he and Ann traveled the Mediterranean, the Middle East, touring Israel and Egypt, and throughout Europe, sometimes staying with distant family in Switzerland.

Martin is the son of Swiss immigrant Emil Martin and Hazel Baker, of Lincoln, Neb., who preceded him in death. His sister, Judy Damiana, and nephew Derek Martin, both passed away in January.

"Mickey" resided at Juniper Village nursing home in Louisville with his wife until passing.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by: son Gary R. Martin and wife Linda of Silver Spring, Md.; son Mark Martin and wife Debbie of Lafayette; daughter Laura and husband Richard Geppinger of Allenspark; granddaughter Erin and husband Ryan van de Boogaard; granddaughter Kelli and husband Nathan Deines; granddaughter Sarah and husband Erik Senescu; three great grandchildren, Chase, Brooke and Jordan van de Boogaard; brother Rick Martin of Commerce City; nephew Monte Damiana and family; niece Melanie and husband Shane Schieffer and family.