Raymond E. Martin's Obituary
On September 12, 2022, Raymond Martin passed away peacefully at the age of 90 having lived a productive and full life.
Raymond Ellsworth Martin was born November 1, 1931 in Wallace Nebraska. He was the third child of Myrta Pearl and Scott Elsworth Martin. He was preceded in death by his wife Marie Jewel Martin, his older sister Hazel Martin who died at age 14 and his older brother Carl Martin who lived a full life
Due to the dust storms of Nebraska and economic hardship of the depression era, Raymond and his family moved to Prosser, WA after a brief stop in Star, Idaho. His family grew grapes for a few seasons near the beautiful, golden, sun-drenched Horse Heaven hills of Prosser. Raymond arrived in Prosser at age 4 ½. At 9 years of age, the story is told that his family traded houses with a family in Graham, WA. His parents worked in the Tacoma shipyards and farmed their 40 acres in Graham, WA. Raymond graduated from Kapowsin High School and then joined the Air Force serving in Libya.
There was a very spunky, cute, talented girl just 1 mile down the road from where Raymond grew up named Marie Jewel Ellis who caught his eye. She happened to be the butcher’s daughter and the rest is history. Raymond and Marie were married on June 3, 1952 and raised three children in Graham, WA Scott, Brent and Kandis Martin.
After serving in the Air Force, Raymond used his many talents and stellar work ethic in the industrial sector. He worked in aerospace for Boeing and while there used the GI Bill to attend telegraphy school in Seattle. For a season he worked around the State of Washington for the railroad as a relief telegrapher ensuring trains made it safely through the stunningly beautiful Cascade Mountain tunnels to include Stampede Pass.
After a few years with the railroad, he moved to the manufacturing sector and worked for the Tacoma papermill. He retired from his long and impressive working career at the Tacoma paper mill which has had several owners over the years: St. Regis, Simpson, Champion. He held several roles there to include sourcing and tracking the many complex machining component parts associated with the advanced manufacturing process. Anyone who knows Raymond well will remember him talking about the “Aroma of Tacoma”. -The smell of money.
Raymond gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ at a young age and was baptized in the frigid waters of Puget Sound at Covenant Beach Bible Camp in Des Moines, WA. He lived his life well and served the Lord in many capacities to include church treasurer for a time. He was a member the Grace Community Covenant Church in Olympia, WA.
He also served as a baseball coach and scout leader.
In some ways quiet, yet Raymond was a man of a thousand stories. Humility was at the tip of the spear. He taught and entertained through his seemingly endless stories which would be repeated from time to time for those who needed more training.
Raymond is survived by three children, 4 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Raymond was loved by animals and people alike. In some cases, the animals liked him more than he liked them. Everyone loved Raymond and he will be missed greatly.
A short graveside service with military honors will be held at Mt. View Cemetery on 10-22-22 at 1PM.
There will be a reception time in the Oak-room at Mt. View Cemetery immediately following the graveside service in order to share warm memories/stories of Raymond. Coffee and cookies were a favorite of Raymond and will be available along with a short video celebration of his life.
What’s your fondest memory of Raymond?
What’s a lesson you learned from Raymond?
Share a story where Raymond's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Raymond you’ll never forget.
How did Raymond make you smile?
