Orlando Larry Martinez

Orlando Martinez passed away on May 6, 2025, at the age of 86, with his wife and daughter by his side to join his sons, in everlasting peace. He was the kind of man who could fix just about anything — and often did. He was born in La Jara, Colorado, October 2nd, 1938, and learned self-reliance and perseverance from the youngest age on the family farm, where the only folks you could rely on were your family and yourself.

A master electrician by trade and a self-taught builder in just about everything else, Orlando had a rare talent for understanding how things worked — walls, wires, engines, and most of all people. If something was broken, he didn’t complain. He just got to work. This included a life as a rancher on the family land, as a self-employed mechanic fixing small engines, time with the Forest Service, and the place that many in his hometown remember, Safeway, where he was the last friendly face you saw while checking out.

There were two careers that impacted his life the most, his honorable service in the Navy, which he proudly served and shortly thereafter he met his wife Diana and exclaimed when they met, “You’re mine!” And the job that helped him raise his three beloved children, Donna, Orlando Jr., and Anthony, over at the Climax mine, where, after graduating from an adult high school program, he became an Electrician 1st Class after doing one of the most dangerous jobs of being a “hang-up man” setting up explosives underground.

He spent countless weekends remodeling his own home — not to impress anyone, but because he loved doing it. He found purpose in a well-built wall, a rewired room, and a job done right. His hands were almost always busy, and his mind even busier — thinking through the next project, the next solution, and in his spare time, he was hauling wood with his buddy Paul.

Orlando wasn’t flashy or loud. He had a dry wit, a steady presence, and a way of making you feel like things would be okay just because he was in the room. He didn’t need attention. He needed a project, a pencil behind his ear, and maybe a cup of coffee he’d drink, while telling you, “Good stuff, Maynard!” When he wasn’t working on the next project, he loved to share a good story from days gone by, and after such a full life, he had many. He showed his faith and service as a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus and in 1980 became a 4th degree Knight and continued to serve into his last days.

He is survived by a lengthy list of beloved friends and family including his wife of 64 years, Diana, and his last living child, Donna, who carry forward the things he taught without ever needing to say them out loud: Take care of what you have. Learn how things work. Show up. Don’t cut corners. Stay faithful.

A service will be held on June 7th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Leadville, beginning with a rosary at 9:30 and mass immediately following. A burial at the Santa Fe National cemetery is to be announced. Those who knew and respected Orlando are welcome to join in remembering him.

If you want to honor his memory, fix something that’s been sitting too long. Finish the project you started. Make something better than it was before. That’s what Orlando would’ve done — and probably already did.

“Life is a gift from God; in his hands, we find our purpose.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Honorary Pallbearers:

Paul Salas 
Mike Pelino
Rudy Sandoval 
Bob Vigil
Ray Dawson 
Wayne Thomas