Gene Craig Martin

July 27, 1919 — June 11, 2008

MONTROSE — Retired Major Gene C. Martin passed away early Wednesday morning, June 11, 2008 at his residence in Montrose, Colo.

Gene Craig Martin was born on July 27, 1919 in Seattle, Wash. to parents, DeLoss Kellogg and Myrtle Ethyl (Craig) Martin. He attended and graduated from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Ind., enlisting in the Marine Corps in June of 1939 in Philadelphia. In his 21- year- career, Gene held every rank from private to major. He served as a member of the American Embassy Guard at Peking, China; participated in the first offensive campaign of World War II as a member of the Edson’s Raiders and saw action in the Korean War. During the last years of his service, Gene served as the officer-in-charge of the Marine Corps Recruiting Station for Colorado, Wyoming and parts of South Dakota and Nebraska. He proudly retired from the United States Marine Corps on March 4, 1960 in Denver. During his six years in Denver, Gene was actively involved in his community, including serving as Dowell Elementary School PTA’s vice president in charge of membership and president of the Denver chapter of the Camp Fire Girls Council.  

When he ended his military career, Gene joined the staff of the Denver Hilton under their management training program, the first of many civilian careers to follow. In Crested Butte, Colo., Gene and his wife, Peggy, opened and managed the Ore Bucket Lodge, and owned the Water Wheel Fine Arts Studio, where Gene continued his artisan activities of silver and gold smithing, weaving, and painting. He was a founding father of the Crested Butte Historical Society, and designed the exteriors and interiors of many businesses in Crested Butte and Gunnison, Colo. In Fallbrook, Calif., Gene honed his landscaping skills, creating beautiful koi ponds, gardens and aviaries. Leaving California, Gene and Peggy “hit the road” in their camper, intending to vagabond for a few years but fell in love with the Oregon coast, where they settled down to spend their next 20 years together beachcombing and fishing the rivers and bays, chasing (and landing) those big salmon. Always wishing to share his passions with and be a teacher to others, Gene wrote and published a book, “Tidewater Bobber Fishing for Chinook Salmon.”

The Martins moved to Montrose in July of 2003 to be closer to family. Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Peggy; their daughter, Bonnie Raines of Montrose; granddaughter, Jenny Jimenez and husband Joe of Olathe; grandson, Jim Cole of Denver; and seven great- grandchildren. As he traveled the United States of this homeland he served and loved — indeed, as he passed through countries around the world, Gene Martin always left signs of his vivid imagination and talents behind. He will be sorely missed.  

A memorial service with full military honors will take place on Friday, June 20, 2008 at Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors at 1 p.m. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Terrace Memorial Park, located next to the funeral home in Montrose, Colo. Visit our Web site, sign the online register and send condolences to his family at www.sunsetmesafuneraldirectors.com.

Gene’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel who took such good care of him and Peggy.

Arrangements are being handled under the care, direction and have been entrusted to Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors (970) 240-9870.