Marty Martinez

Marty leaves behind his loving wife of 28 years of marriage and best friend Shari Martinez.

With great regret, he also leaves behind from previous relationships his 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Daughter Bridgette Arnold, husband Eric Arnold, grandson Joshua Cobos, granddaughter Brooke Cobos (great granddaughter Caysen Rash), and grandson Grant Kelley. Daughter Brenda McAfee, husband Robert McAfee, grandsons Nicholas & Noe Castaneda and great granddaughter Natalie Castaneda. Daughter Melanie Smissen Coward, husband Todd Coward and grandson Scott Coward. Son Marty Martinez, wife Sarah Martinez and grandsons Reuben, Solomon, Julian & Brixton Martinez, and Alden Smith. Daughter Kari Martinez Bailey, husband Matt Bailey and grandsons Hollund & Edun Bailey. Son Richard Talbot, wife Amanda Talbot and granddaughter Kali Talbot, grandson Avery Stewart and granddaughter Leia Stewart.

He leaves behind his surviving brother and sisters: Brother Randy Mar, Brother Kirk Martinez, Sister Beverly Harmon and husband Jim Harmon, Sister Sandy Williford and husband Marvin Williford and Sister Ginny Allen.

There is numerous other relatives and friends he leaves behind with great sorrow.

Marty graduated from James Garfield Highschool in Los Angeles, California in 1964. He then went on to honorably serve in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1971. Later in life, he became a member of the American Legion Post 140 in Westport, Washington.

Some of the places he worked for after his brave service was Bledsoe Trucking Company, Riverside California Fire Department and Washington State Department of Corrections. But one of his most rewarding and last adventure was the business he created and owned called Northwest Courier Service, LLC which began in 2002 and ended in 2019 but not because he wanted it to end but because his body would no longer support the endeavor. His business took him to new and different places, he enjoyed meeting new people and he felt he was aiding those in their time of need. He sacrificed a lot of his personal life for his business but never wanted it to end.

In his spare time, he enjoyed reading the bible and Stuart Woods books, listening to the hundreds of songs he had downloaded over the years, watching movies, taking scenic strolls, finding that perfect car to retire with which ended up being a 1953 Chevy 2-door delivery truck (thank you Chato) and talking with anyone who wanted to talk. But his favorite love was garage sales, he just couldn't pass one up. I should also add, not just garage sales but any store that sold used items like Goodwill, Salvation Army store and so forth. He could spend hours looking for those hidden gems.

Even though Marty is no longer physically with us, he is in God's care now free from pain and sorrow. Marty will always be in our hearts and around us if we remember the happier times he brought into our lives. Do not dwell on the regrets but remember how he or you touched each other’s life which made this world better, which is part of God's perfect plan.