MARTIN NORTH

1918 - 2018

Martin (Marty) North Martin was 100 years old, born March 6, 1918 to parents Carl A. North and Margaret Magnusson in Arletta, WA. Martin peacefully died on April 12, 2018 in Pflugerville, Texas. He was a Pierce County resident for nearly all his life. Martin's life motto was, "Do your best and leave the rest to Jesus." He firmly believed that it had "been a good life." To loved ones, he was our hero and served as example of how to grow old and to live a good life; he will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him. Martin and his sister, Irma, lived in Tacoma and spent summers in Arletta on Puget Sound. Martin graduated from Lincoln High School in 1936. In 1938, he entered Pacific Lutheran College (PLC), and graduated in 1942 to join the Navy in WWII. At PLC, he enjoyed four incredible years of football and basketball, earning memorable championships and deep friendships. Martin later completed graduate work at University of Puget Sound to earn his MA in Education. After the War, Martin taught and coached for one year at Federal Way High School and then spent 31 years with Clover Park School District as a teacher, coach, Principal and Administrator. During summers, he worked as a tour bus driver to Mt. Rainier (Paradise Lodge). Martin married the love of his life, JoAnn Boyd, on July 7, 1942. They had three children: Timothy Martin, Margaret Carol and Kristen Lee. Martin retired in 1977 to inherited acreage near Roy, Washington. There, he carved out a lovely home for he and JoAnn and their extended family. They also enjoyed many years of travel, including visits to family in California, Texas and Alaska, plus years of trailering with close friends to Arizona and throughout the country. Later, he traveled to Kona, Hawaii with Irma and her family, and then shared this experience with his family members. Martin was a lifetime member of the Tacoma Elks 174, the Retired Teachers Association, the America Legion, and the Clover Park "Ancient Warriors". He was the recipient of two PTA Golden Acorn awards. Special interests included thoroughly enjoying his family and friends, golfing, reading the Bible daily, sports, and being politically savvy. He attended and enjoyed Life Center Church in Tacoma. He also enjoyed many years of weekly lunches with Bill and Walter Boyd at Harbor Lights Restaurant. Martin was preceded in death by his partner and wife of nearly 59 years, JoAnn (2001); by his sister, Irma Bendock, by his parents; his half-sister, Joyce Weaver; his daughter, Margaret (Peggy) North; by his granddaughter, Kelley Lynne Chamblee; by step siblings, and brother-in-law, Walter Boyd plus many cousins. He out-survived most friends except William J.D. Boyd, his brother-in-law, who became Martin's best friend. Martin is survived by his son Timothy North of Tacoma; his daughter, Kristen (Ray) Kunz of Pflugerville, Texas; daughter-in-law, Kathy (John) Tauter; Nancy (Charlie) Marken; grandsons Victor (Margret Ann) North and Joshua (Erika) North, M.D; granddaughter, Calee (Darren) Looker and Janelle (Gary) Wallis. Great grandchildren are Arielle, Calvin, Logan, Tatum, Conrad, Caleb, Luke, Samantha, Arden, Jack and Clive. Martin enjoyed deep and rich relationships with his nephews, nieces, and cousins. Each of his family loved Martin deeply and shared their own special, unique relationship with him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Life Christian Center and Pacific Lutheran University. Memorial services will be held at C.I. Shenanigan"s, 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma in the Rainier Room on Saturday, May 5th at 10:00 a.m. There is a lunch reception, following. Burial will be at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. at 1:00 p.m.