Louis Emilio Martinez, 79 longtime area resident, died Sunday, November 16, 2008 at his home in Ft. Morgan. He was born July 8, 1929 in El Carmen, New Mexico to Juan and Eusebia (Sandoval) Martinez. He married Kathryn Davila on May 31, 1953 in Brush, Colorado. Louis was a preacher in the 1950's and attended a Culinary School in Denver in 1957. He worked as a chef in Fort Morgan for many years. Louis was a member of Saint Helena Catholic Church in Ft. Morgan. He enjoyed playing his guitar and harmonica, cooking, singing, watching wrestling on television and tinkering with cars. He liked to collect things; and according to his family could almost be called a pack rat. Louis loved his children and grandchildren and they were very important to him. When his health started to decline he never complained about anything. Survivors include, his wife Kathryn Martinez of Ft. Morgan, sons, Steve Martinez of Denver, Rick Martinez of Ft. Morgan, Danny Martinez of Greeley, and Kenny Louis Martinez of Ft. Morgan, daughters, Ramona Becker of St. Louis, Missouri, Teri Strange of Ft. Morgan and Sharon Piepho of Brighton, sisters, Jenny Benevides of California, Mary Rodarte, Trudy Furtaw and Rafe Rangel all of Ft. Morgan, Ambrosita Romero of Wiggins and Delubena Martinez of Salt Lake City, Utah, fifteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. Louis was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Emilio Martinez, three brothers, Margarito, Paul and Cresencio Martinez and two sisters, Nora Dovey and Dora Littig. A viewing will be held Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 1 until 6 PM, followed by a Rosary Vigil at 6:00 PM at the Heer Mortuary in Ft. Morgan. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, November 21, 2008 at 1:30 PM at St. Helena Catholic Church in Ft. Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado. The Heer Mortuary and Crematory in Ft. Morgan is in charge of the arrangements.