Todd G. Martz

Todd Gregory Martz died August 24, 2014 in Englewood Colorado after a short illness. Todd was born in Englewood in 1972 and was a life long resident of Colorado Springs and of Highlands Ranch. Todd was born with Down syndrome, the presence of an extra 21st chromosome, but as one of Todd's fraternity brothers at Colorado College remarked, ""Todd had Down syndrome, but Down syndrome did not define Todd's life. Todd defined his own life."" Todd was the only person with Down syndrome in the US who was an initiated member of a college fraternity, even though he was never enrolled as a college student. Todd was invited to join the Beta Omega chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity shortly after he began to work on the CC campus in 1993. The fraternity became such a true brotherhood of belonging and supportiveness for Todd that after a two page article about them in the Colorado Springs Gazette, the fraternity and Todd were featured in a five minute news segment on the NBC Today Show. After that news segment appeared, Charlie Monfort, co owner of the Colorado Rockies team invited the entire fraternity to attend a Rockies game where Todd threw out the opening pitch. Todd and his family were also approached by a film director to explore doing a film for the Disney Company about Todd's life with his Kappa Sigma brothers. Because of the vision and advocacy of Todd's mother Judy Martz, national disability advocate and co founder of Colorado's Peak Parent center for 70, 000 Colorado children with all disabilities, Todd's life has been a state and national model for inclusion and acceptance for all persons. Roxane White, Chief of Staff for Governor Hickenlooper, and twenty year friend of Todd, wrote after Todd's death, "" Todd taught us all to think differently. He inspired possibilities and made it easier for people to create supportive communities. Todd's life was a gift to Colorado and to the Nation."" Shortly after joining the Kappa Sigma fraternity Todd moved from his family home and began to live with a different group of fraternity brothers each year. When they learned of his death, some of those friends and former roommates have written about Todd. Former roommate and fraternity alumnus Dustin Silvester wrote, ""Todd was a sweet, caring, funny and thoughtful man, and my year of living with him was the most transformational time in my life. Todd made everyone feel they were special, because, to Todd, everyone in his life was special."" And fellow church member and Denver business leader Doak Jacoway said of Todd, ""Todd's infectious smile and enthusiasm for life are a constant reminder of all that is good."" Denver business leader and fellow church member Brad McNealy wrote of Todd, ""Todd is a perfect example of doing the most you can with the gifts you have. He made a real difference in the world, and his legacy will continue to inspire and humble those of us who were fortunate enough to know him."" Todd's aunt, Evangeline Gant of Southlake Texas, said of Todd, ""Todd didn't know it but for the past 11 years he was my teaching assistant! He taught hundreds of fifth grade students in my Language Arts classes about compassion and love and kindness and tolerance through the viewing each year of the NBC Today show video. That not only touched the hearts of my kids but my colleagues as well."" Todd worked in Colorado Springs at Applebees Restaurant and at Wooglins Café and Deli. He loved music by Stevie Wonder, Shania Twain, the Rolling Stones, and Paul Simon, and he loved hanging out with his fraternity brothers and with his sister and brother in law, Meredith and Greg Luttrell. Todd is a member St Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch where his father was Senior Pastor for 18 years. Todd is survived by his parents Harvey and Judy Martz of Highlands Ranch, his sister and brother in law, Meredith Martz Luttrell and Greg Luttrell of New York City, his grandmother Helen Johnston of Wichita Falls Texas, and aunts and uncles in Texas. The memorial service for Todd will occur at 2:00 PM Thursday at St. Andrew Church, 9203 South University Blvd. There is also a viewing at Horan & McConaty, 5303 County Line Road, Centennial on Wednesday afternoon from 4-7:30 PM. For those who wish to make a memorial gift, the family requests (in lieu of flowers) that you direct your gifts to any of the following charities: National Down Syndrome Congress Foundation, 30 Mansell Ct., Suite 108, Roswell, GA 30076 www.ndsccenter.org; Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Attn: The Todd G. Martz Scholarship-Leadership Award Fund, 1610 Scottsville Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22902 www.kappasigma.org; St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Attn: Compassion Fund, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80926 www.st-andrew-umc.com. Please share your memories of Todd and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.