Charles Gregor Martin Jr., 83, of Sweet Home, passed away on Wednesday at Albany General Hospital. He was born in Dickinson, North Dakota to Charles Gregor and Beatrice (Wanner) Martin.

Charles was a U.S. Army Medic during World War II in the Philippines. He was a Purple Heart recipient. He has lived in Dickinson, North Dakota, Seattle, Washington, and then in Sweet Home, Oregon since 1975.

Charles worked the ranch in Dickinson with his father and mother when he was young. He graduated from High School in Dickinson and attended college for one year before being drafted into the Army. After being discharged from the military, he worked construction jobs in Washington State. Later, he worked for the City of Seattle as a firefighter until he retired in 1975.

He enjoyed working with his hands. He built a family cabin at Maggie Lake from scrap materials he collected during his moonlighting in construction while being a firefighter. In his early years he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He was a good clam digger and oyster shucker and cooker on Hood Canal, Washington.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife Louella to Quartzsite, Arizona and “snow birding” with friends from Sweet Home. He and his wife Louella were founding board members and active volunteers and supporters of the Sweet Home Boys and Girls Club. Most recently, he enjoyed cruising various locations with his close friend, Norma Cain.

Charles is survived by four children, Kathleen Brockway of La Connor, WA, Charlene Mason of Sweet Home, OR, Charles Martin Jr., of Federal Way, WA, and Craig Martin of Sweet Home, OR; stepchild, Mickey Pfab of Seattle, WA; sister, Bernice Olson of Indio, CA; six grandchildren, Adrian Brockway of Seattle, WA, Karyn Hartsook of Sweet Home, OR, Sean Martin of Sweet Home, OR, Nichole Martin of Sweet Home, OR, Michael Martin of Federal Way, WA, Cory Martin of Sweet Home, OR; two great-grandchildren, Bailee Hartsook and Ryker Hartsook, both of Sweet Home, OR.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Louella Martin; his brothers, Edgar and Don Martin; and sister, Mercedes Schmaltz.

Viewing will be 10am – 2pm Monday with the Funeral Service following at 3pm at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel will be handling the arrangements.