Craig Eugene Martin

Craig Eugene Martin

Born – Alton, Kansas 7 February 1935
Deceased – Murray, Utah 13 April 2020
Parent – Ethelyn Cook and Floyd Martin
Spouse – Janet Carol Ellis (deceased) and Marjorie Marvene Whitehead (present) Children – Kevin, Janel, Janae, Michelle, Colette, Annette and Brenda

I have lived in Downs, Kansas; Wichita, Kansas; Provo, Utah, Vernal ,Utah and Murray, Utah. I graduated from North High School in Wichita, Kansas.

I worked in Wichita as a mechanic for a car dealer, Boeing and Cessna Co. Moved to Provo in 1967 to establish a Pizza Hut Franchise. In 1971 I returned to my first love, engines, as a Diesel Mechanic in Salt Lake City, Utah. We moved to Vernal in 1974 to start a branch of Abbott Detroit Diesel. In 1984, I moved to Rocky Mountain Power as their equipment mechanic and was able to retire in 2001.

My family has been the most important thing in my life along with the Restored Gospel and my baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receiving the Priesthood.

My testimony has strengthened continually over the years as I strive to be obedient to the Lord’s commandments. I have never doubted Joseph Smith’s first vision and his bringing forth the Book of Mormon.

Of childhood memories there are many with loving parents who loved each other and my brother and me.

From an early age my basic interest was in everything mechanical that burned gasoline or diesel fuel and went fast, scooters, motorcycles, cars and airplanes.

No one’s life is ever complete without some struggles, disappointments or tragedies. The one foremost in my life occurred in 1976 when my lovely wife Janet at the tender age of 39 was taken from me and our six children by cancer. Through the love, care and sacrifice of a wonderful extended family, Bishop and ward members we carried on with living and growing. In a short, time I met and married Marjorie Marvene Whitehead who if not blindly but willingly took on the task of helping me complete our family. As of April 2020 we have 7 children, 19 grandchildren, 17 great grands and another on the way.

Marjorie and I fulfilled a dream of serving two missions as a senior couple and ordinance workers in the Vernal Temple. We based our lives around our belief and enjoyed serving in all our church callings.

My greatest desire for my children and grandchildren is that they will strive to live and pattern their lives after the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

**Written by Craig Martin and updated by family to current

Friends and family may call Friday, April 17, 2020 at Blackburn & Sons Vernal Mortuary from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park.