Bobby J. ‘Bob’ Martin, 89, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2019.
Bob was born on March 28, 1930 to Ezra (Bud) and Mary Alice Martin in Mounds, Oklahoma on the family farm. In 1944 the family moved to California.
In 1948 he graduated from high school, and married Iva Jean Stewart in Ceres,
California. They had 5 children together.
Bob began his retail career in 1948, working for FW Woolworth Company. At age 24 he was promoted to manager, and managed stores in La Grande, OR, Ventura, CA, Lake Oswego, OR, and finally in Bellingham, WA. In 1965 he furthered his career becoming district manager over four states for Ben Franklin stores and eventually managed the Alaska district. In 1972 he bought the Ben Franklin store in Sedro-Woolley, and with the help of his family operated it until 1975 when he sold the business and began selling cars at Vern Sims Ford in Sedro-Woolley. Bob continued his sales career as the manager of motor home sales at Hinton GMC-Oldsmobile in Mount Vernon, retiring from sales in 1990.
In 1987 Bob married Judy Kay Gronemyer. Together they have owned and managed several rental properties and they enjoyed traveling, making many trips to Hawaii, and cruises to the Bahamas, Panama Canal, and Alaska.
Cars were Bob’s passion! He bought his first car, a 1929 Model A Roadster, at
age 15, buying, selling, and trading many makes and models over his lifetime.
Bob is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judy Martin of Sedro-Woolley; three sons, Mike Martin (Kayelynn) of Nampa, ID, Greg Martin (Margaret) of Sedro-Woolley and Scott Martin of Sedro-Woolley; two daughters, Sheila Hendrick (Gary) of Mount Vernon and Tami Anderson (Steve) of Sedro-Woolley; two step-children, Ben Morgan (Evie) of Buckley, WA and Kim Mower (Randy) of Hamilton; 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ezra and Mary Martin, and sisters, Patsy Azevedo, and Nina Smith.
Graveside Services will be held at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 12:30 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 PM at Inspire Church in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Roger Jones officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro- Woolley. Share memories of Bob and sign the online guest register.
In the past few days I have realized how much of an influence this man had on my life as one of his grandsons I remember as a child going to his house and seeing his cars and model cars and being envious of them and looking back on my life now I realize how similar I am to him now I realize the importance of saving money and how every dollar and penny can make a difference in your life and how the way you treat people will always have a lasting impact on them no matter what you do or say to them. Even though I could not be with him until the last his last moments looking back on my life I realize he has had a lasting influence on my life even if I did not notice it at the time I will always remember his energy and love he showed to all of us and I will never forget the life lessons this man showed to me or anyone else in his life
There is a song called the light house that we would listen to growing up. It goes “There’s a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life’s seas”. “I thank God for the light house I owe my life to it”. “If it wasn’t for the lighthouse where would this ship be.” Our dad was like a lighthouse for his kids. Steadfast, strong and a guiding influence showing us the right path. When we veered off the path he corrected us and steered us back in the right direction. We learned the importance of faith, hard work and being independent. We are all so thankful for our Christian upbringing. Going to church twice on Sundays and again on Wednesdays instilled a love for the Lord that is a priceless gift.
When we were in school, he told us “if we weren’t playing sports we were going to work”. Managing money was another one of the courses that professor Bob taught.
Music was also a big part of our life. The Blackwood Brothers quartet, the Happy Goodmans, Chet Atkins, Kitty Wells, Frank Sinatra and Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass were just a few of the artists we were exposed to at home and road trips. Road trips were a blast. Driving from Anchorage AK. To Ceries CA. in an Impalla with a sheet of plywood resting on top of the front seat stretching back to the rear window so we would have a bunk bed and be able to fit more people. Dad was a traveling innovator and nobody could pack a trunk like he could. He never liked to stop, always driving straight through to our destination. Our late Aunt Wilma always used to say “she always felt safe traveling with Bob because if something happened to the car, he could always fix it”.
Once saw him climb the rope at the high school gym to the top in his suit and tie without using his legs.
We had a healthy fear and respect for this man like no other. Our dad was a car salesman through and through. Type A personality who lit up a room. When he showed up for a family function you knew it. In 89 years he never spent any time in a hospital but he really went through hell this last two and a half months and faced it with courage. He gave it everything he had but he decided to go be with Jesus at about 2:00 a.m Friday morning and I’m sure he is telling the story about Helga the nurse’s aide. We were so thankful to spend his final minutes with him gently singing to him and holding his hands as he quietly took his final breath. We have never met anyone like him and never will. He was a force, charismatic confident man, a wheeler and dealer, animated story teller, and could stretch a dollar for a mile and still have a quarter left over. We love you dad and we will miss you so much but we know you are pain free and celebrating in heaven.
So glad to have been able to spend quality time with my father in law and wife during his last few months. We kids made them meals, we found furniture to make them comfortable, and helped with all his medical appointments and medications. There was one of us with him as much as possible all summer, which seemed to give him comfort…. and someone to tell his stories to! What a life he had. We are trying to find pictures of his life with Judy and her kids for his memorial – if anyone has any please reach out to me as Judy cannot find any. 856-3410. Dad certainly spent his life HIS way and his legacy will be honored by those he left behind. Rest in peace Dad, your job is done.