Gordon Ray Martin

Gordon Ray Martin was born September 4th. 1917, in Athens Township, son of George A. and Annette (Hosmer) Martin. He attended Athens area schools, graduating in 1936 from Athens High School. He worked in Battle Creek for U.S. Register, American Stamping and Eaton Mfg. Co. On April 11, 1941 he was inducted into the United States Army and was discharged Dec. 23, 1945 serving 4 years and 9 months He served overseas in England, France, Belgium and Germany. He was a Staff Sgt. in a medical combat group. After leaving the army, he and his brother Arthur opened a DeSoto-Plymouth Agency in Albion in 1946. On May 3, 1947 he married Kristine Powers Fisher in Battle Creek, and they have resided in Albion ever since. In 1951 he sold his interest in the Auto dealership and founded a construction company in Albion (building many homes and numerous commercial buildings in this area). The construction company was later incorporated as his name sake, “Gordon Martin Builder, Inc”. The company is family owned and continues in operation today. In 1976, he was elected to the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners and served from 1977 through 1980, being elected as Board Chair¬man in 1979-1980. He retired in 1981 to pursue his hobbies of hunting and fishing. He loved to spend time at his cottage on the St. Mary’s River, located in the U.P. He was a life member of the Athens Masonic Lodge 220 and a member of the Albion American Legion Post #0055 and a member of the VFW Post #3672.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife (Kristine), step-son (Ronald Fisher) and three brothers (Elan, Arthur and Ovid).

He is survived by his two grandsons Randy (Rose Mary) Fisher and Douglas Fisher,

Five great grandsons and ten great-great grandchildren, his nieces Annette Borner, Sandy VanDyke and nephews Gary Martin, Arnold Martin, Stan Moore, Gordon (Butch) Martin, Bob Martin, Norm Martin, extended son-in-law Roger Skinner and many loving “grand” nieces and nephews.

The measure of a person’s life can be summed by how many people in this world want to be near you. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to share in his world and the events of his life; as he equally enjoyed being part of theirs. Gordy was well met and well loved.

Visitation for Family and Friends will be held on Wednesday, May 25th, 2016 from 4 to 7 PM at the J Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Drive, Albion, Michigan 49224. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 26th, 2016 at 11 AM with Pastor Steve Shafe Officiating. There will Visitation from 10 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow at Albion Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Athens Masonic Lodge #220, 111 ½ S Capital, Athens, MI 49011.

To leave messages of condolence for the family, please visit www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com