Carlos David Martinez

Carlos David Martinez, age 20, passed away on Thursday March 09, 2023, at his home in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Carlos was born on October 24, 2002, in Denver, Colorado. As a little boy, and a Young Man, he loved “ventures,” his pronunciation of the word “adventures” as a young Child. His dream was to be a Marine (along with, for a time, being Indiana Jones, a Firefighter, a Chef and so forth). Carlos would say, from a very young age, I just Luv! And Love he did and still does. He was a protector, especially of his tribe and of his little brother, Danny.

As a youngster we home schooled him and his brother for a time. They liked to play soccer and we wound up on the home school soccer Team. Carlos’ Team won a Championship one year and Dad thought that Soccer might be something he played forever. But Carlos was full surprises and lost interest in Soccer around 8th grade as well as in our Family Dojo. He had started to Love film and film making.

He found Love in books, film, writing and drawing. To say that he was resilient might be an understatement. He and his brother survived a School Shooting and Carlos helped others “in the moment” and beyond. He had talked one of his dear Friends out of suicidal ideation and saw that they got help. Carlos’ dream was fulfilled when he enlisted as a High School Senior [attending STEM School Highlands Ranch located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado]. He was not intimidated by the six-year commitment, although his Parents were. He graduated High School in May 2021 and his ship date to Boot Camp was June 1, 2021.

One of our fondest memories is seeing him graduate [Eagle, Globe, and Anchor in hand] from the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in late August 2021. He was then deployed to Camp Pendleton for School of Infantry Training and then on to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, located in 29 Palms, California (29 Palms) for further training in his Military Occupational Specialty, Radio Operator (MOS 0621). That Thanksgiving, we packed up and drove to 29 Palms to have an epic Thanksgiving celebration as a Family.

As a reservist, by the Grace of God, he was assigned to the Quebec Battery of the 4th Marine Division operating out of Buckley Space Force Base, located in Aurora, Colorado. He was released from Active Duty and placed in his reservist role, flying home to meet us on December 15, 2021. According to his Marine brothers, somehow Carlos was always happy, bringing a smile and laughter, even during the toughest challenge; The Crucible that such Service entails. He had been promoted to Lance Corporal and was very excited about the upcoming drill he had starting on March 11, 2022. He was so excited about doing everything he could to earn his next rank, Corporal.

In Heaven, despite whatever Mission he has been assigned, we know he is making them crack-up! His Marine Brothers and Sisters in Heaven are happy to see him. And he is in the Loving embrace of Christ. He is survived by his Mother, Father, younger brother Daniel, and older Brother Michael.