GORON MARTIN

GORDON MARTIN

Mount Vernon

Gordon William Martin Sr., 91, of Chewelah, Wash., born in Camden Station, Minn., on July, 1 1922, passed away at St. Joseph's Long-term Care Unit, Chewelah, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014, after a short illness.

Gordon moved to Chewelah with his wife, Betty, in 1998 to live closer to their daughter, Becky Miner. He quickly became very active in the Chewelah community. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Chewelah Senior Center and VFW Post 2047.

Gordon was the seventh of eight sons born to Henry and Emily Martin and lived on the Camden Station family farm until 1944, when he entered the Army to serve in World War II. After the war he moved to Cedar Rapids, where he met Betty Lois Muth. They were married Aug. 28, 1951.

He retired from the Cedar Rapids Streets Department in 1984.

They have four children, Becky (Lynn) Miner of Chewelah, Wash., Gordon Jr. (Pam) of Lisbon, Herbert (Laura) of Cedar Rapids and Henry (Ruth) of Douglas, Ga.; seven grandchildren; seven stepgrand-children; nine great-grand-children and 10 stepgreat-grandchildren.

Gordon was an avid "Harley Guy," even turning his walker into a "Harley" before he would use it.

He was a writer, a poet and a musician. He wrote poems for special occasions and stories about his life experiences. His musical instruments of choice were his harmonica and accordion which he played for family, friends, church and open mic session.

He always had a joke and a story to tell all who would listen to him.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Chewelah. A luncheon will be served after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Chewelah or St. Joseph's Long-term Care of Chewelah.