Derek Martin

Derek Martin, 18, of Whitefish, passed away Dec. 10, 2009, near Columbia Falls. Derek's birth brought smiles to Eric and Lori Martin on Oct. 25, 1991, in Kalispell. He was raised and educated in Whitefish. Derek was a senior at Whitefish High School, where he loved sharing the halls with his favorite physics teacher, his mom. Aside from being a student, Derek also worked with his dad at Western Building Center in Columbia Falls.

Derek enjoyed playing soccer and pursuing his love of the outdoors in hunting, fishing and four wheeler riding with his dad. He loved spending days at the lake and the recent family trips to Hawaii trying snorkeling, surfing and deep sea fishing. Some of Derek's favorite things were playing computer games with his brother Scott, his mom's sugar cookies and a can of citrus drop. When home Derek loved spending quiet time with he and Scott's much-loved cats Princess and Oliver.

Derek always had a smile on his face and brightened every room he walked into. Derek was always ready to challenge the family to a board game and lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Derek's life was cut far too short and his value may never be truly known. He will be missed every single day. He leaves everyone who knew him poorer in his absence.

He is survived by his parents, Eric and Lori, and his brother Scott; his grandmothers, "Nana" Karen Martin and "Gram" Mamie Parpart; his extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, Steve and Shelley Martin and children Austin and Natasha; Bill and Leslie Bales and son Brian and his wife Nicolette; and daughter BrieAnna and her husband Pa-Foday Jaiteh.

Services were held Dec. 15 at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish. Memorials in Derek's memory may be made to the Columbia Falls Food Bank, 82 Railroad St. E., Columbia Falls 59912, where Derek recently helped his dad deliver food donations and the Humane Society, 3499 US Highway 93 N., Kalispell 59901, for Derek's love of cats.

Arrangements are under the care of Austin Funeral Home.