Delvin “Del” L. Martin, age 83, of Arvada, CO, died on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.
Del was born in Clintonville, WV, in 1935, to Okey and Ina Jeffries Martin.
He graduated from Rupert High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in England, where he met and married Joan. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked for the FAA as an electronics technician before going back to England for several years as an employee of the U.S. Department of Defense. Del was a civilian with the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, maintaining aircraft cameras for imagery intelligence. Back in the U.S., Del worked for the NOAA-National Weather Service as an electronics technician, and later as a supervisor, until his retirement.
Del spent 45 years in Colorado and loved it…although he always had a soft spot for his West Virginia roots and his time spent across the “pond.” He enjoyed playing darts (at one time), tinkering in the garage and his basement “man cave,” golfing, bluegrass music, family gatherings, jigsaw puzzles, reminiscing about his country boy youth, and the wonderful times he had spent with family and friends over the years. Del liked driving his old pickup truck around town to check his traps, as he would say. His most recent obsession was being “Pappy” to his “Sweetie Pie Baby” granddaughter, Tatum, his sunshine for over 11 years. Del adored his morning coffee, a good pot of beans, Olathe corn in the summertime, and the love of his life, “J.B. Darlin'”… Soul Mates.
Del was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Earl Martin.
Del is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Bennett Martin; daughter, Sharon Martin; son, Stephen Martin (Vicki); daughter, Tara Marsh (Tom); and granddaughter, Tatum, all in Colorado. Del’s surviving siblings include Gene Martin, Janet McDaniel, and Curtis Martin (Norma) in West Virginia, and Charles Martin (Debbie Connell) in Georgia. Del is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, beloved in-laws, and very dear friends near and far.
If so inclined, donations may be made in Del’s memory by mail to Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation – Cardiovascular ,1375 East 19th Avenue, Denver, CO 80218, over the phone at 303-812-6437, or online at sclhealth.org/locations/saint-joseph-hospital- foundation/donate/. Or, remember Del with any charitable contribution of your choice.
“I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long. Summer’s almost gone, winter’s coming on. I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long, and I feel like I’ve gotta travel on…”
Visit CrownHillFuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.
Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the August 27, 2018 edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
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