Earl Martin

Earl Martin passed away on December 7, 2015, in Brush Prairie, WA. Born in rural Missouri, Earl was the ninth of 13 children born to James and Blanch Martin. His 92 years was the life of self-made man.

During WWII Earl served in the Merchant Marines in the Mediterranean Middle East, Pacific, and Atlantic War zones. Earl married Ruby Sawyer in 1946. Together they ran a successful insurance agency for over 30 years in Pasadena, CA before retiring to Battle Ground, WA and their farm “Martin Meadows”. In Pasadena, Earl was active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, Sister Cities and the Pasadena Casting Club. Earl was an avid back country hunter, fly fisherman and a runner, participating as a torch bearer for the 1984 Olympics. In Battle Ground he was active in Freemasonry, the American Legion and American Merchant Marines Veterans. 

Earl was predeceased by Ruby, his loving wife and “fantastic wife and partner” of 66 years, in 2012. 

He is survived by Kathy (Bruce) Wright of Danville, CA; Sandra Martin Van Belle (Rodney) of Seattle, WA; Janice Martin of Pasadena, CA; and grandchildren Jennifer and Paul Wright.

We thank Dina and Paul Moldovan for their compassionate care during the last years of Earl’s life with Alzheimer’s. It was a quiet end to a long life. We will miss holding Earl’s hand and kissing his cheek.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Please sign Earl’s online guestbook at legacy.com.