Dennis “Denny” Paul Martin died at home in Silverton on December 7, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Dennis was 79 and fought a hard battle with the cancer that had returned and was just diagnosed on November 12, 2018.
Dennis was born on April 4, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska to Everett Martin & Clara Paulson Martin.
His parents, sister Diane Magnuson and brother Darrell “Skip” Martin preceded him in death. He grew up in Hawthorne, CA where he met Colleen Grogan in April, 1964. They were married on March 6, 1965 and loved each other as parents, partners and best friends until his death. Dennis & Colleen purchased a farm In Silverton, in December 1976 returning to Colleen’s home town. Visiting often in the next year and a half, they and daughters Stacy & Jennifer finally moved to the farm in June 1978. Meanwhile Dennis built & grew his company, D.P. Martin Trucking, an air and ground delivery service, from 1969 until 1985, frequently traveling back and forth to California. Later Dennis owned Martin Dispatch, and then was an owner-operator truck driver.
Dennis loved horses & horse racing. He owned a few horses that ran at the Oregon State Fair and small northwest tracks; they even won a few times! He and Jennifer traveled to Santa Anita and Del Mar racetracks in recent years and enjoyed those trips tremendously. He loved to play golf both locally and in California where he traveled to play in family tournaments and several times played in NFL Alumni golf tournaments. He was also privileged to fly with the 49ers on the team plane to view the 49ers game against the Detroit Lions. A man who laughed often & much, told great stories, and treasured family & friends.
Most of all Dennis loved his family, Wife Colleen and daughters Stacy Palmer and Jennifer Martin. He was so proud of the strong, hard-working, accomplished and caring women “his girls” have become. He is also survived by son-in-law Kevin Palmer his frequent golfing partner, granddaughter Kelsey Hart (Tony) and first Great-grandchild due in June, grandson Jake “Martin the magnificent” Palmer, Sister-in-law Maureen Stacey, mother-in-law Betty Grogan, brother-in-law Charlie Grogan & Wife Sally, brother-in-law Glen Magnuson, many cousins, nieces & nephews, the neighborhood kids who loved him, and so very many friends.
At Dennis’ request, no funeral will be held, instead a celebration of life and a golf tournament will be held in the late spring or early summer.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to relayforlife.org- Greater Salem Area, Team Silverton’s Striders or Willamette Valley Hospice, 1015 3rd St. NW, Salem, OR 97304. Arrangements made by Unger Funeral Chapel.
