George Dewey Martin Jr.

Friday, September 13, 2013

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, George Dewey Martin Jr. finished his adventure and labors in this life and returned home for new assignments in our Father's Kingdom. Son of George Dewey Martin and Esther Elizabeth Smith Martin, George was born in Bismarck, N.D., and grew up in northwest Washington. He married Roberta Joan King in 1950 and went on to build his family, living in and around Bellingham, Wash., for 53 years. Early in their marriage they spent two years in Toledo, Ohio.

George owned and operated a butcher shop, Meridian Meat Lockers and later worked for and managed Cascade Industrial Laundry in Bellingham, Wash., for more than 30 years. He served his community as PTA president, on the COMMIT board, and many other numerous projects in Whatcom County.

Beginning in 1977, he served as bishop for five years in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bellingham, Wash. Later George was called as a missionary with his wife Bobbie to run an employment center in Bellingham and again they served in Charlotte, N.C., for two years, managing an employment center there and organizing other centers throughout the region.

A strong theme running through George's life is that of service. Through the years he has served large congregations, small groups and many have experienced his kindness and strength as individuals.

George's great faith and drive to serve God and his fellow man to the end of his life sojourn has been fulfilled. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, two sons and one granddaughter. He leaves behind his sweet wife Bobbie Martin; siblings Marlene and Dave Johnson of Edmonds, Wash., Georgia Holden of Dacula, Ga., and Gordon and Joanie Martin of Wenatchee, Wash.; children Harold and Jacky Martin of Fort Scott, Kan., Becky and Bob Cohn of Navarre, Fla., Tami and Richard Hutchens of Maryville, Tenn., Chuck and Liane Martin of Meridian, Idaho, and Bill and Linda Martin of Maple Falls, Wash.; 20 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and numerous friends and extended family.

George will be greatly missed, but his legacy of love and service will permeate through time, down through generations.

Memorials services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Nevada.