David Lawrence Martin, age 62, of St.George, Utah, passed from this earth peacefully on Dec. 21, 2023, in his home with loved ones. Dave was born on Jan. 19, 1961, in Provo. His parents were Ray and Heloise Martin.
Dave grew up in the Salt Lake Valley, including Sugar House, Murray and Sandy. He grew up in a Brady Bunch-style family growing up with eight siblings. Dave attended Jordan High School and then Alta High School, where he graduated in 1979.
Dave was a patriotic man and loved his county. He served in the Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for 3 years and then South Dakota. In his later years, he was often seen driving his vehicles around town with the American Flags flying in the windows.
He married Raico Hillman Martin on Feb. 19, 1993 and they were sealed a year later in the St. George Temple. Shortly after, in 1994, they gave birth to their son Keaton and then twins in 1999; Tahia and Rayder. He loved being a dad.
He knew how to play hard but working hard always came first. Dave owned Millennial Welding for many years. He was a welder, fitter, and fabricator. Dave did custom work and hand railings. He worked on roller coasters and loved what he did. Dave had many hobbies; he loved boating with his family, owning cars, taking care of his cars, and had many show vehicles.
He had a ’57 Chevy Truck, bought in 1989, running multiple times in his life. He loved his 80s music and in his later years would often be found sitting in his vehicles just listening to music after picking up his daily drink from Hearts gas station.
Dave had friends all over town he would visit daily. The last 20 years of his life he was handed many obstacles and trials in his life that did not let him do the things he loved to do. MS, Crohn’s disease, and a back breaking accident made it hard for our hard working man to be still.
He stayed positive through it all. His family worked hard as his caretakers for all the years and they loved him with all they had. Dave was so thankful for his family. He was proud of his children and wife. He loved getting to be “Papa Dave” for a short time on this earth. We are saddened by his loss but are extremely joyed for his return to his Father in Heaven, knowing that he is no longer suffering here on earth.
Dave was always upset when those he loved got to “go before he did”, but we know that that made for a large welcoming committee for him. He was greeted in Heaven by many family members who have passed on including his Father, Ray.
He is survived by his eternal companion: Raico Hillman Martin; children: Keaton (Elli) Martin of Washington, Utah, Rayder Martin of St.George, Utah and Tahia Martin of St.George, Utah; Grandson: Thrasher Martin; his mother: Heloise Martin of Diamond Valley, Utah and many siblings, in-laws and friends that loved him dearly.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, Jan. 19, 2023, at 12 p.m. at the Veterans Park, 75 East Telegraph Street, in Washington, Utah with military honors and 80s music. Condolences may be shared on the McMillan Mortuary website.