Slug Martin

Russell J (Slug) Martin was born to Joseph Abner Martin and Mary Ann Jenkins in Central Arizona on April 27, 1943.

Slug as he is affectionately known, spent his childhood growing up on the family farm. Beginning his education in Central until the school was closed and they moved the kids to Thatcher.

Slug was well-known around the Gila Valley as a rough and tumble young man with a humorous, likeable personality.

After graduation, Slug went on to serve in the Northern States Mission near Chicago, Illinois. After returning from his mission, he started dating, then married Ina Nelson of Thatcher. Soon after the marriage, Slug was drafted, then enlisted in the Army and was accepted into Officer's Candidate School and was sworn in as a second lieutenant in the US Army reserves. Slug went on to Ranger School and eventually Vietnam where he served in the Chu Lai Province. Just before departing for Vietnam, his daughter Natalie was born. After he finished his tour in Vietnam, he was released from active duty with an honorable discharge. Soon after, Russell (Joey) Martin was born.

Slug and his small family relocated back to the Gila Valley and began working and eventually buying into the Nelson Brothers Plumbing and Electric, where he worked for several years until governmental service began calling again.

Slug went to work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons initially as a guard at Swift Trail Federal Prison Camp. Then being chosen as a project construction manager and eventually being responsible for all new prison construction for the United States. This included FCI-Phoenix, FCI-Sheridan (Oregon), FCC-Florence (Colorado) – just to name a few. He eventually retired after living and working in Washington DC.

Slug went to work at DLR Group continuing to contribute to the building of schools, jails and prisons. He was forced to finally retire for good after receiving a heart transplant.

He and Ina settled back in Thatcher, so they could be back in the Gila Valley to be close to his remaining siblings and close friends.

Slug enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing with his family, especially his three beautiful granddaughters – Brailey, Landrie and Abbiegayle.

Slug and Ina were married for 60 years, lived in five different states, has three granddaughters and two great grandchildren – Hazel and Rhett.

Funeral services for Slug will be conducted Friday morning, August 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the Thatcher Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Paul McMaster of the Thatcher Second Ward. Concluding services with military honors conferred will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening, July 31, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home and Friday morning, August 1, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., at the Thatcher Stake Center Relief Society Room of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.