Alamosa - Donald Louis Martin, 80, of Alamosa, Colorado died on September 14, 2015 after a short battle of Metastatic Melanoma cancer with his family by his side.

He was born on May 29, 1935 to the late Marvin Louis Martin and Mary Elizabeth Adkins Martin Harris in Sterling City, Texas. He graduated from Sterling City High school in 1953. He married his high school sweetheart Virginia McCarty Martin in 1956 and they enjoyed 59 years of marriage.

Don was a loving husband, a doting father, and a loved 'Papa Don" to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Don worked for TXDOT for 6 years running lab tests and inspections for various road projects. In 1959 he began a career as an engineer technician for the Bureau of Reclamation in numerous states until his retirement in 1990. He was an avid golfer, woodsman, and volunteered as a hospital ambassador at the San Luis Valley Health Center in Alamosa. He was a member of the San Luis Valley Church of Christ. His greatest accomplishment in life was being baptized into Christ and living his life as a true child of god.

Don is survived by two children; Teresa (Frank0 Martin Durham of Edna, Texas: and Marvin Louis (Shelia) Martin of McKittrick, California. He is survived by six grand children; Julie Martin (Armando) Sanchez, Chance (Stacy) Martin, Kendall Durham (Lance) Tipton, Casey Don (Cassie) Martin, Paige Martin (Severyn) Woodward, and Blake Martin. Also, he is survived by 8 great grandchildren; Kelsie Sanchez, Alisza Sanchez, Kimber Sanchez, Chanlyn Martin, Kinley Martin, Taylor Tipton, Durham Ann Tipton and Reese Martin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Thomas Earl Martin.

Dons Wishes were to be cremated and at his wife's passing he and she to have a joint service.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in his honor to Hospice Del Valle at 314 Main Street Alamosa, Colorado.

Rogers Family Mortuary of Alamosa is in care of the cremation. If you would like to leave condolences for the family or sign an online registry please visit Don's Obituary at www.rogersfunerals.com