Martin Dean "Marty" Block

Martin Block Obituary

Martin Dean ("Marty") Block died peacefully in his sleep on March 4, 2025 at his mother's home in Denver, Colorado. He was born on September 30, 1967 in Cozad, Nebraska to Melvin Dean and Linda ("Young") Block.

Marty lived a full life in his 57 years, but his last few years were filled with a number of medical issues. He persevered through all those problems with determination and fortitude until he just couldn't do it anymore.

Marty was a master carpenter and crafted many beautiful homes, wine cellars and exquisite staircases. His unique vision was evident in all his work. He had an engineering mind and way of approaching many projects that were awe inspiring.

He grew up on the mountain at Purgatory Ski Resort and was a skillful skier and skateboarder. He graduated from Durango High School in 1985. He soon moved to Hawaii and honed his craft building custom homes. He later lived in Avon, Colorado and eventually lived in Denver, Colorado.

Marty successfully entered into sobriety in the early 2000's and remained sober for over 22 years. Through his associations with AA and CA, he was very instrumental in helping many folks recover from their addictions and go on to live productive and successful lives. Many of his sponsees credited Marty with literally saving their lives. He led meetings at the Denver City Jail AA for over 200 sessions, never missing a meeting even on the holidays. His dedication and devotion to helping others recover was inspirational.

He is predeceased by his father, Melvin, his grandparents Bill and Mary Young and Marvin and Dorene Block. He is also predeceased by his uncles Gordon and Cliff Young and cousin Cynthia Young. He is survived by his mother, Linda Block, his sister Caryn Johnson, nephew Austin Johnson and niece Allison Johnson, his aunts Birgit Young and Diane Young, his cousins Susan Iskowich and Will Young, as well as his half-brother Jeff Block, uncle Charles Block and aunt DeAnne Stueben. He is also survived by his dear friend Trish Ramsey.

Marty was a brave man who approached life and death his own way. We are all very proud of him.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Durango Herald on Mar. 7, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Martin Block

6 Entries

Donna and Jim Martin

March 24, 2025

Memories and Sympathy- Martin Dean Block
Marty, Caryn and Linda Block, were the first neighbors we met when we moved to our house in the Fassbinder neighborhood in 1975. They had arrived the year before. One day Jim walked down the alley to ask if we could borrow a cup of sugar. That was the beginning of a friendship has lasted over the last 50 years!
The picture I posted the other day of the kids in the neighborhood included Geoff and Jonathan Thompson, Marty (#42) Richard Beltran, our son Yurii Potemkin, Cary and her friend Josette. I will always remember Marty as that sweet boy who was full of fun and kindness. These kids ran around the neighborhood often on bikes and scooters. They played at Fassbinder Park on the Merry-Go-Round and high, huge metal slide. They fished at Huck Finn Pond; played in the river and walked the "Swinging Bridge" to roam downtown. Durango was a safe and great place for kids to grow up in. It still is. Soon Chapman Hill (formerly Calico Hill) and Purgatory became their playground. Marty became an excellent skier. All these kids went to Needham, Miller Jr. High and Durango High.
After Marty and Cary graduated from High School the family moved away but remained tethered to Durango for years to come. They came back often and still do. Often the place you grow up becomes a part of who you are even when you have left it.
We send our sympathies to Linda, Cary and their family. Those of us who knew Marty and his family will always cherish our memories of those early days together. His suffering is over and his family can find peace and comfort from the lives they shared with Marty.

Jodi Zuber

March 17, 2025

Great picture of Marty! This is how I remember him. Big smile and hair on fire! RIP Marty!

Donna M Martin

March 12, 2025

The Kids of Fassbinder Neighborhood

Kara Kuss Maes

March 11, 2025

So sorry for your loss. I was a friend in high school and saw him last when I ran into him one evening out in Denver. He was a terrific skier, I had a hard time keeping up back in the day.

Allison Harden

March 8, 2025

Marty -
Say hi to Bill and Bob and know that your service to those struggling mattered! I will keep you in my heart as I continue to trudge the road to happy destiny. And I´ll keep an eye on your Mom.

John

March 8, 2025

Marty and I ski raced together in high school. But more than that there were times when we would sit and talk about the complexities of life. We were young and full of dreams and the laughter was real. Keep laughing my friend, so sorry to hear.

JB

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results