Marty Ray Martin passed away suddenly Jan. 3, 2018.
Marty was born on Feb. 26, 1958 at St. Francis Hospital in Lynwood, California. He spent the first 20 years of his life in Downey, California, where he attended Downy High School. He moved, with his family, to Lynden in 1978. He spent the remainder of his life dedicated to the ownership, operation and ground maintenance of the Lynden KOA Campground. The love he had for the grounds was second only to the love he had for his family. He also spent many years as a volunteer firefighter for the Northwood fire department, serving as chief before retiring, as well as a volunteer with Whatcom County Search and Rescue. He was as dedicated to helping others as he was to his family.
Marty was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Shirley Martin; and his niece, Mindy Rhoads.
He is survived by his siblings, Vicki (Steve) Lockhart, Terri Huizenga and Eddy Martin; his nieces, Michele (Tommy) Koltowski, Vanessa (Bobby) Reamer, Heather (Tom) Trent, Leah Rhoads and Taylor Martin; his nephew, Danny Rhoads; his great-niece and -nephews, Jaxon, Conrad and Mila Trent, and Landon Reamer.
Viewing will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, with the funeral service to follow at 10 a.m. both in Gillies Funeral Home, 202 Front St., Lynden. Overflow seating will be provided at the Lynden Pioneer Museum directly across the street from Gillies, followed by a private family burial. An open house reception will then follow at the Mt. Baker Rotary Building, corner of Stremler and Front streets, at 3 p.m. in celebration of his life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to any of the following: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66647-8517; Whatcom County Search and Rescue, 1041 W. Smith Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226; or Whatcom County Fire Fighters Association, 4142 Britton Loop Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226.
Please share your memories and condolences in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
