Raymond Dean Martin's Obituary
Raymond Dean Martin Age 93, died peacefully on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at 12:45 PM in the home he and his wife, Millie, built 55 years ago. He leaves Millie (Brodland) Martin after nearly 71 years together. He also leaves his eldest son, Larry Martin and wife Christine (Olsen) Martin, daughter-in-law Lynn (Rosinbum) Martin Howden, his brother-in-law Bob Brodland, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Rich "Re" Martin. Born in Chehalis, Washington to Harry and Mattie Martin, Dean was the youngest of four children. He graduated from Morton High School in June 1941. He attended Pacific Lutheran College in the fall of 1941, met and fell in love with Millie. After Pearl Harbor was bombed, he joined the Navy in the fall of 1942, received a commission as an ensign, and served on the ship USS Lowndes during World War II. Dean and Millie were married September 28, 1944 in Tacoma while he was on home-leave from the Navy. After the war ended, Dean returned to Tacoma and Millie. He finished college and got his teaching degree. In 1947 he got his first teaching job in Oak Harbor, Washington, where he worked one year. The next two years he taught on Vashon Island. In 1950 he began working for Tacoma Public Schools, where he stayed for 36 years, retiring in 1986. He first taught 5 years at Jason Lee Junior High School, transferred to Stadium High School, then opened Wilson High School, where he taught one year before being promoted to Central Administration, where he worked for 28 years starting out as a helping teacher in science and math for a year, then as Director of Audio Visualization, and ending his career as Director of Instructional Resources. Dean served in a number of capacities at the two Tacoma churches he and Millie attended, Faith Temple and the Tacoma Alliance Church, during his life-time in Tacoma. He spent about 15 years serving as the Education Building Superintendent of the Puyallup Fair, starting in 1987. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Tacoma Public Library from 1984-1989. In his spare time, Dean spent every minute he could in his yard. He loved his home very much. It was his sanctuary. Dean was interred at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood in a private service on Friday, August 14, 2015. A public service celebrating Dean's life will be held at the Tacoma Alliance Church on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 2:00 PM. Memorial gifts may be made to Indonesia Calls, 918 NW 57th, Seattle, WA 98107.
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