Ralph Edward Martin, 74
Ralph Edward Martin, 74, was born on June 28, 1943, in Portland, and unexpectedly passed away in Kalispell on Oct. 19, 2017, due to a sudden form of acute lung disease; while his mind longed to stay, his lungs no longer could support him.
At 74 years of age, Ralph spent most of his working years with his shirt sleeves rolled up logging in the Pacific Northwest and retired in the beautiful lakeside community of Polson, where he lived with his wife, Sharon, who preceded his death in July of this year. Ralph will also reunite with his parents Francis and Virginia Martin, his three siblings Judy, David and Bobby, and his stepdaughter Kandy.
He leaves behind his children Susan Reyes, Kenneth Martin and Cindy Martin-Watkins, their half brother Todd McKinney and stepbrother Tracy Cook; Susan’s husband Demetrio and their two sons Michael and Jordan; Ken’s wife Debbie and their three children Stacia, Kylea and Ryla; Cindy’s husband Michael and their children Halona and Leland; Todd’s wife Sue and their daughter Morgan; Tracy’s wife Wendy and their children Cody, Lindsay, Kayla, Destiney, Kendra and Torie; Kandy’s children T.J, Adrian and Alissa. Great-grandchildren are Stacia’s daughters Desirae and Harper, Rylan’s daughter Madison, Halona’s children Hawk and Willow, Lyndsay’s son Roman.
Ralph was a very active member of the Four-Square Church and longtime patron at 4B’s where he mentored many of the Polson community while retelling many a tale. Loved and already missed beyond words, his family would like to thank the fantastic staff at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Debby Miller and her family who spent many days beside him in the ICU, along with Pastor Greg for his dedicated brotherhood, including the multitude of prayers from his devoted congregation.
The Four-Square Church in Polson is holding a memorial at 1 p.m. on Nov. 11. Another service for Ralph’s family and loved ones will be in Oregon at a later date.
As his favorite country artist George Strait sings, “A father’s love is ‘love without end. Amen.’”
To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.