Del Martin

Del Martin passed away peacefully (NOT due to COVID) at the home of his son, Jim Bob, on Jan. 18, 2021, at the age of 85. He was born in Hobart, Okla., on Aug. 3, 1935.

Del served four years in the Navy as a Seabee. He has always been a cowboy at heart. His love for horses led him to the life of breaking and training race horses. He raced at many tracks and rode many bulls before settling down in the state of Washington. He continued racing and riding bulls closer to home and spent many years working on the starting gate at Playfair Race Track in Spokane.

He also worked for the State of Washington Department of Transportation until his retirement and afterward, enjoyed his time with friends and trail rides in the high country. He also had his horses and mules and worked with 4-H kids, which he dearly loved. Del was a true cowboy.

He is survived by his sons, Chris “Burr” Martin and his wife, Jani, and Jim Bob Martin and his wife, Vanessa; as well as his granddaughters, Cassie Martin, Taylor Martin and Kimberly Vandenberg; his grandson, Austin, and great-grandson, Bentley.

Del led an adventurous life and will be dearly missed by his friends and family.

Ride on Cowboy. Ride on.