Carl John Martin, born July 27, 1933, to Carlos Martinez and Belle Zaccardi in Poctello, Idaho, passed away peacefully in Kemmerer on June 3, while in South Lincoln Medical Center following a seven-month bout with lung cancer. Our family could not be more appreciative of the caregivers in the hospital, Best Home Health, the Veterans Administration and the many friends who spent time helping him during these last days. We also thank to Vince and Tony Tomaci of E&L Motors for their generosity as his employer, especially during his last days.
Carl grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, and attended high school there. He graduated from Weber State College. Carl served in the Air Force during the Korean war in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1952. He soon went to work at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, then joined with a partner to start a data processing business in Salt Lake City called Western Registrar. While at HAFB he met and married Wanda Mattson Lunsford of Centerville, Utah. Together they had four children: Rick, Tony, Terry and Linda. The couple later divorced. Carl also raised a stepson, Bruce Draney of Draper, Utah.
Eventually, Carl moved to Wyoming to work as a car salesman working in Rock Springs, then lived in Kemmerer for the rest of his life. His love for Kemmerer and the people there never diminished.
He is survived by his sister Juanita Hammond of Houston, Texas, sons Richard (Doris) Martin of Centerville, Utah; Anthony (Shauna) Martin of Farmington, Utah; Terry (Allison) Martin of Layton, Utah; and daughter Linda Martin of Layton, Utah. Carl is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Delores Smith of Overland Park, Kansas, and Carole Jean Annis of West Virginia.
A brief celebration of life will be held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, located at 806 Klondyke Street in Kemmerer, on Saturday, June 9, from noon to 1:00 p.m. Special thanks to the Order of Eagles for supplying the hall and refreshments.
