The family of Martin “Marty” Reeves Thorpe of Aurora, CO, is saddened to announce his passing on April 25, 2026, at the age of 81. Born May 19, 1944, in Denver, Marty was a lifelong Coloradan.

Marty lived life with passion, whether he was skiing, dirt biking, riding his Harley, or traveling the world on cruises. His greatest love, however, was music. Though a guitar teacher once jokingly told his parents “To get your money’s worth out of the lessons, sell the guitar” because Marty didn’t learn by traditional lessons, the truth was that he played beautifully by ear. His professional journey began in his early twenties when he stepped in as a last-minute bass player for a friend’s gig, leading to a lifelong career in multiple bands.

Music eventually led him to the love of his life, Laura. They met on October 11, 1986 while Marty was playing in the band Legacy, and married exactly six years later. They spent their honeymoon on a cruise, beginning a beloved vacation tradition. On New Year’s Eve 1999, they debuted their musical due, “Marty and Laura,” performing for the next twenty years at the Aurora Eagles, local restaurants, cruises, and private parties.

A man of many talents, Marty also owned and managed restaurants and worked for Orkin and UPS Sonic Air before retiring in 2024. Our hears are truly broken; we will deeply miss his kind soul, his humor, and the music he brought into our lives.

Marty is survived by his wife, Laura Thorpe; sons Randy Thorpe and Ryan Thorpe, stepson Scott Harsch; and in-laws Jack Hamilton, Mitsuko Thorpe, Mary Brown, Curt Harsch, Tracy Harsch, and Sherii Mele. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alexis (Drake) Decker, Dylan Harsch-Baldwin (Amber Kloes), Shaena Dawson (Kai Johnson), and Willow Knutson (Keily Madison); many beloved nieces and nephews; and his loyal dog, Moolysa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vivian and George Thorpe; siblings Roberta “Bobbie” Hamilton and Jack Thorpe; stepson Christopher Gibbs; brothers-in-law Jim Twist and Ed Brown; and his dog, Samantha.