Joseph Martin Fortmeyer , known as Joe to his family and friends, died at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, on Friday, July 17, 2026, after complications from a brain injury that occurred on June 2. He was 77 years old. A longtime Kansan, Joe's last residence was in Andover, Kansas.

Joe was born to Ralph Fortmeyer and Elwanda "Skippy" Downing Fortmeyer, both now deceased, at Caldwell General Hospital in Kansas on August 28, 1948, but grew up on the family farm just south of the Oklahoma state line. His family included his older sister, Joan Fortmeyer Hoover (Wichita), and younger sister, Mary Fortmeyer Overall (Caldwell), both of whom survive him. His younger brother, Michael ("Mikey"), was killed in 1963 in a tragic farming accident. He attended school at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Caldwell until starting his freshman year at Caldwell High School, where he graduated in 1966. In 1974, he graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva with a degree in mathematics and computer science.

He met his wife, Patricia "Patti" Lou Teders Fortmeyer, in 1968 and they were married on January 24, 1970, first residing in Oklahoma City where their son, Justin Michael Fortmeyer, was born in 1972. They moved around a few times before settling in El Dorado, Kansas, by which point they had added a second son, Russell Martin Fortmeyer in 1975, and a daughter, Lindsey Kate Fortmeyer Lane in 1977. In 1988, the family moved to Bakersfield, California, where they lived until 1993, before various stints back in El Dorado and Bakersfield, and then Ponca City, Oklahoma, until finally moving to Andover in 2007.

Over the years, Joe worked as an office manager, construction operations manager, refinery contractor, and trucking safety and logistics manager for companies including Ziegler Corporation in El Dorado, Dustrol, Inc. in Towanda, Kansas, Banks Construction in both Bakersfield and El Dorado, Savage in Bakersfield, and Drisco in Ponca City and El Dorado.

After retiring in 2018, Joe ramped up his travel schedule with Patti, visiting family in California several times a year, while also traveling throughout the country with extended family and friends. Together, the two also explored England, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, but were always happiest playing marbles in their dining room at home with a glass of California white wine.

Joe is survived by Patti (Andover); son Justin and his wife Tahiea, and their children, Elliot, Audrey, and Jack (Fresno, California); son Russell and his husband Matthew Baker (Los Angeles); and daughter Lindsey Lane and her husband Michael, and their children, Goldie, Blythe, and Winslow (Wichita).

Please join us for a Celebration of Life to honor Joseph Martin Fortmeyer.
Saturday, August 8, 2026
10:00AM
The Lodge, 1607 E. Central Ave, Andover, KS 67002

In honor of Joseph, memorial contributions be made to The Caldwell Regional Health Foundation, P.O. Box 224, Caldwell, KS, 67022, or to the Caldwell Alumni Association – Gallery Remodel, P. O. Box 72, Caldwell, KS, 67022.