Joe Angel Martinez

Joe was born on December 03, 1936, in Lamar, CO to Parents Andy & Rachel Martinez. Joe graduated from Lamar Union High School in 1956. He studied and played football two years at Pueblo Junior College where he was the first All American athlete for the College. He continued his football career and education at Colorado A&M which became Colorado State University. Joe graduated with a degree in Education K-12, and minors in Commercial Art, Spanish, and Physical Education. Joe taught Art, Crafts, Spanish, and coached football, basketball, track, girls softball and wrestling for 17 years at Junior High Schools in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Cache la Poudre JH in LaPorte, CO. He taught 15 years at Cache la Poudre Elementary. He was a Master Teacher, caring coach and a loving husband and father. Joe received his Masters Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Northern CO. Joe taught for 32 years. He spent 30 summers working and teaching in the Migrant programs in NE and CO. Joe married Sandra Bruckner from Lamar. Together they raised four daughters. They were married for 70 years. He loved his family unconditionally. Joe spent time with family fishing, picnicking and attending all of his girls’ school and sport activities, having chocolate milkshakes after every musical concert. Joe was an amazing multi-talented athlete. Joe was one of the best fast pitch pitchers in the State of Colorado. He proudly pitched for 50 years, helping to win many tournaments in CO, NE, WY, TX, AZ and Mexico. As you can imagine, his family grew up in ball parks, developing a ball team family bond that continues today. Joe was inducted into the Colorado ASA Softball Hall of Fame in 1992, the Colorado Mexican American Hall of Fame in 1993. He was honored at the 2020 CSU Pueblo Homecoming game, and at a celebration at the CSU Canvas Stadium for his 1957 All American Athlete recognition and his outstanding football career at both schools. Joe is survived by his wife Sandra of Fort Collins, his children Beth (Mike) Martinez Humenik of Thornton, CO JoLynn Martinez Troudt of Fort Collins, CO, Kristi Martinez Rice of Fort Collins, CO, and Heidi L. (Greg) Block of Colorado Springs, CO. he is also survived by his sister Frances (Angel) Marquez of Pueblo, CO, grandchildren Nicole (Andre Ray) Troudt of Greeley, CO, Brandon Rice of Hilo, HI, Kirk (Melissa) of Eau Claire, WI, Aaron (Ria) Rice of Fort Collins, CO, and Heather (Sam) Krout of Wellington, CO, great grandchildren Arianna, Aliva Ray, Edith, Vivian and Benjamin Troudt, Emmaline, Hazel and Morgan Rice, Ellie Krout, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Joe Angel Martinez

December 3, 1936 - November 4, 2025