Obituary for Gary Manford Martin
Gary Martin was born in Davenport, Iowa on October 2, 1951, the eldest child of Naomi and George Dennis Martin. He died in at Homeplace in Oak Harbor after suffering from dementia, and lastly, succumbed to COVID, on December 4, 2021.
Gary was proud of his farming heritage, and spent many weekends and summers on his Uncle Vernon’s farm nearby. He also learned his work ethic early, starting with a paper route and then working in a grocery store. Gary spent time as a teenager working towards his Eagle Scout Badges and playing in a band. For college in Ames, Iowa, Gary chose a liberal arts education and graduated with a BA in Psychology. A memory that he drew on often was leaving for the West Coast after college “to find his dream.” He pretty quickly settled on Seattle, and matriculated into the Bachelors of Nursing Program at the University of Washington. Gary was to work for 32 years at the University of Washington Medical Center, focusing on physical rehabilitation and orthopedics. He joined many committees and was a well loved employee there.
Lake Forest Park is where Gary lived with his first wife, Kathleen Keliher, and his two daughters, Kelly and Kristyn. He spent many weekends expanding his house next to the Burke Gilman Trail. At Christmastime, people enjoyed the Santa, sleigh and reindeer jumping over a tree house that he built with his dad, that was visible from the trail.
Gary met Donna Totten at UWMC, and they were together 20 years, living happily in Clinton on Whidbey Island for most of that time. Gary was an amazing gardener, and created a formal herb garden, as well as tending to apple and pear trees, kiwi vines and a fig and olive tree.
Gary is survived by his brothers, Steve Martin, and his children, JC and Q, Kevin Martin, and Dan Martin, and sister Terry Daly, and her children Emily, Keri and Zach.
Gary’s immediate family that survives him is his wife, Donna Totten, daughters Kelly Martin of New York, Kristyn Martin of Tokyo, and stepsons, Benjamin Schwartz of New York and William Schwartz of Seoul.
A memorial for Gary will be held for the immediate family in the Spring when his ashes will be scattered.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Island Senior Resources of Bayview would be a thoughtful way to remember Gary, as he and his wife benefited greatly from the support of this organization during the years he had dementia.
Gary was proud of his farming heritage, and spent many weekends and summers on his Uncle Vernon’s farm nearby. He also learned his work ethic early, starting with a paper route and then working in a grocery store. Gary spent time as a teenager working towards his Eagle Scout Badges and playing in a band. For college in Ames, Iowa, Gary chose a liberal arts education and graduated with a BA in Psychology. A memory that he drew on often was leaving for the West Coast after college “to find his dream.” He pretty quickly settled on Seattle, and matriculated into the Bachelors of Nursing Program at the University of Washington. Gary was to work for 32 years at the University of Washington Medical Center, focusing on physical rehabilitation and orthopedics. He joined many committees and was a well loved employee there.
Lake Forest Park is where Gary lived with his first wife, Kathleen Keliher, and his two daughters, Kelly and Kristyn. He spent many weekends expanding his house next to the Burke Gilman Trail. At Christmastime, people enjoyed the Santa, sleigh and reindeer jumping over a tree house that he built with his dad, that was visible from the trail.
Gary met Donna Totten at UWMC, and they were together 20 years, living happily in Clinton on Whidbey Island for most of that time. Gary was an amazing gardener, and created a formal herb garden, as well as tending to apple and pear trees, kiwi vines and a fig and olive tree.
Gary is survived by his brothers, Steve Martin, and his children, JC and Q, Kevin Martin, and Dan Martin, and sister Terry Daly, and her children Emily, Keri and Zach.
Gary’s immediate family that survives him is his wife, Donna Totten, daughters Kelly Martin of New York, Kristyn Martin of Tokyo, and stepsons, Benjamin Schwartz of New York and William Schwartz of Seoul.
A memorial for Gary will be held for the immediate family in the Spring when his ashes will be scattered.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Island Senior Resources of Bayview would be a thoughtful way to remember Gary, as he and his wife benefited greatly from the support of this organization during the years he had dementia.