Robert Nathan Martin

In the early morning of Friday, December 6, 2024, our beloved father passed away of natural causes, peacefully in his sleep. Nathan was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, uncle, nephew and cousin. He made all the roles look easy. What Jesus said of Nathanial in the New Testament can be said of dad…A man in whom there is no guile. Nathan was born at home on the west side of Denver, 1085 Yuma St., delivered by a mid-wife but went to school on the north side, attending Columbian Elementary school, Skinner Junior High and played football for the North High School Vikings. Nathan would stay in touch with childhood friends, Ronnie McKenzie and Clair for the rest of his days. Nathan proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the famed USS Hornet. During two tours of duty from 1956 to 1960, Nathan served throughout the Pacific including an early mission into a small but percolating conflict area in southeastern Asia in little known country at the time but would soon take center stage in a place called Vietnam. Nathan loved his service and would recount tales of adventure in Okinawa, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Hawaii. Indeed, some of his last words and repeated often were love for country and being an American.Upon his honorable release from the Navy dad bought his first motorcycle, a 900cc Harley-Davidson Sportster. He married our mother, Alma Lucero, in 1960, who he had known through church since childhood. Nathan parked the Harley in the kitchen during the first couple of winters in a small home in north Denver. Part of our father's legacy, which has been passed on to his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren, was work. Dad's mantra was: If you're not doing anything pick up a broom and sweep. Dad got a job quickly as a janitor at the Denver Public Schools and later went to work at the Denver Post as a journeyman mailer. In 1978 he and Alma moved to Utah where we transferred to the Salt Lake City Tribune and Dessert News from where he retired in the mid-90s. Dad would spend half of his life between Denver and Bountiful, Utah.Nathan was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, dad's real religion was not behind a pulpit but in daily life. Dad's religious practice was generosity. Nathan was quick to ask his children if they ever needed a little cash. He honored this same practice with his grandchildren and gave what he had, which is everything. His walks with God came during long bike rides through Colorado or camping near the South Platte River or Turquoise Lake to fish. Dad loved listening to Ray Price, Johnny Cash and the song El Paso by Marty Robbins and would practice his falsetto to Mariachi, Miguel Aceves Mejía. Dad was a season ticket holder of the Denver Broncos in the 1960's and early 1970's, seeing the greats, Joe Namath, Len Dawson, Fran Tarkington, Daryl La Monica among others. Dad passed under his Broncos blanket.Nathan is preceded in death by his elders, parents Ruby and Charles Young and his father, Robert Martin. Dad was a baby when his infant sister passed over after fifteen days, Edith Fern. He loved his grandmother Gertrude Suazo who he called mama and his grandfather José Crecencio Suazo, both from the San Luis Valley. Dad recalled fondly joining his grandpa Suazo on trips to San Luis to sell odds and ends. Dad had great admiration for his aunts and uncles who have also preceded him, Cordilia Sánchez, Ray Suazo, John Suazo, David Suazo and Al Suazo. Dad was so proud of the service his uncle's rendered during World War II. His uncle Al was in a tank during the Battle of the Bulge. Dad's legacy from the Greatest Generation.Nathan is survived by his wife of 64 years, married on the Fourth of July riding on the back of the Harley to the Justice of the Peace. Nathan is also survived by his aunt Stella Sumerall. His children, Armando and Rena (daughter-in-law), Cynthia Gaddis, Lisa Lucero and Cathy (daughter-in-law). Grandchildren, Jeramie, Jacob, Alicia Perme and husband Cyrus Perme, Armando and daughter-in-law Britnay Laine, Maria, Jordan and husband Carson Hansen, Malaina Gaddis, Christina Spahn and husband Nathan Spahn. And his cousins Edith Suazo and Caroline Suazo.Keep riding, dad!The family invites all friends and family to a military memorial service at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Friday, January 10 at 10:30am, followed by a luncheon at the LDS church at 6465 W Jewell Ave, Lakewood, CO 80232