Edward Francis Martin

Edward Francis Martin died of natural causes on May 28, 2014. He was 85 years old.

Edward was born in Walla Walla to Joseph and Edith Martin, a pioneer wheat farming family. He attended St. Patrick Grade School and Walla Walla High School where he excelled in basketball. He loved all sports, but his one true passion was skiing, which he participated in several times a week at Ski Bluewood, where he was one of the initial investors. He traveled all over the western United States with family and friends to ski and taught his children how to ski at a young age.

He attended WSU and Gonzaga University. He joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, Md., where he served two years and was honorably discharged. When he returned to Walla Walla, he joined his father and brother, Tom, in the family wheat farming operation. Edward became a successful wheat farmer and retired at the age of 70.

Edward belonged to the Walla Walla Country Club, where he liked to play golf, Northwest Grain Growers Association and Assumption Catholic Church.

Edward is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Robert Mastracco; son, John Martin; sister, Elizabeth Smith; sisters-in-law, Bernadette and Joanne Martin; nephew, David Martin; nieces, Sharon and Amy Martin; and several great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; several uncles and aunts; wives, Dorothy and Ellen Martin; son, Daniel Martin; brothers, Thomas and Douglas Martin; and sister, Sharon Martin.

Graveside services are open to family and friends at Mountain View Cemetery on June 18, 2014, at 10 a.m. with a lunch and celebration of life at the Walla Walla Country Club at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to a charity of one’s choice.