Edison E. Martin, age 80, of Jamestown, ND, passed away on September 19, 2020, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND with his sons by his side.
Edison “Ed” Eugene Martin was born in Miles City, MT on February 17, 1940, the middle child of Ella (Guenther) and Robert Martin II. He grew up with his older brother, Robert “Bud”, and younger sister, Lianne. The family lived by the Powder River before moving to Terry, MT. In his youth, he enjoyed searching for dinosaur bones and agates, fishing and hunting.
Known by his friends as “Eddie”, he joined various academic clubs and excelled at many sports in high school including track, football, basketball and baseball. He held state track records for hurdles and javelin and was a fierce competitor and skilled pitcher. He received the Babe Ruth Award. He graduated from Terry High School in 1958.
After high school, Ed attended Montana State University in Bozeman, MT and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1963. He was the crew boss fighting forest fires in Lewistown, MT for three years to pay his way through college.
He earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying his Piper Cub airplane. He had many great stories about his flying adventures and near-death experiences.
Ed’s life was full of many job offers and opportunities. He had a keen sense of understanding of finances and the business world and enjoyed working and meeting people, always willing to take on the next challenge. Upon graduating from college, Ed spent time as a county agent at Fort Benton, MT before working as an assistant manager for the Federal Land Bank in Sidney, MT from 1964 to 1968. He, then, worked for the United States Department of Commerce in Poplar, MT until 1970. In 1971, he married and later had two sons, Clinton Elliott Martin and Burton Edison Martin. Thereafter, he became a loan officer and insurance agent for Garrison State Bank in Garrison, ND for three years before transferring to Peoples State Bank in Westhope, ND where he served as Vice President from 1975 to 1986. During this same time, he owned and operated a grain farm by Maxbass, ND. Ed, then, worked alongside his father and brother at his father’s federal crop insurance agency in Wolf Point, MT from 1986 to 1990. He lived in Glendive, MT from 1988 to 1990. He spent a year working in Okanogan, WA for the Farm Credit Bureau and one year as an assistant county supervisor for Farmer’s Home Administration in Linton, ND. He ultimately moved the family to Valley City, ND where he owned and operated a motel from 1992 until his retirement in 2003. In 2003 he moved to Jamestown, ND where he lived until his death.
Ed was a member of the Masons. He enjoyed buying and selling stocks and staying active, going for long walks, oftentimes many miles a day. He loved visiting with his friends over a cup of coffee and sharing detailed stories of his past experiences and memories. He had a knack for creating vivid images for his listeners, because of his great memory for detail and people’s names. He never met a stranger, striking up conversation with all whom he met. Ed was hard-working, honest and extremely humble but, above all, he was a proud grandfather with a generous heart.
Left to mourn his passing are his sons, Clint Martin and Burt (Laura) Martin, four grandchildren, Shane, Briella, Adelyn and Leigha Martin, all of Jamestown, ND; his sister, Lianne (Wayne) Swigart, Billings, MT; and nieces and nephews, Scott, Lonnie, Sterling, Chantel, Sonja and Lucy. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Martin III.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2020 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Interment will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday October 2, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Saturday October 3, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Terry, 59349
Interment
After Funeral Service
Saturday October 3, 2020
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday October 2, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Saturday October 3, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Terry, 59349
Interment
After Funeral Service
Saturday October 3, 2020
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Larry and Judy Jens says
Eddie was a good friend. I have many track and football memories when we played for THS. We spent some time together in Bozeman while attending MSU together, too. Unfortunately, we’d lost touch over the years. We are sorry to read of his passing. We ask for God’s comfort for his family at this time of great loss.
LeRoy & Leanne Wegenast says
Enjoyed getting to know Ed over coffee at the Depot in Jamestown. And yes he had a memory I envied and related many stories in detail. Our thoughts and prayers to his family.
Delores Cameron says
From the Class of 1958 we regret we were unable to contact Edison since our graduation. We have missed him at our reunions, nonetheless may he now rest in peace and know our thoughts are with the family.
Our sympathy,
Delores (Roos) Cameron
Marty and Jeanette O'Dea says
Lianne and family, our deepest sympathy at your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers
Maribeth Braaksma says
Dear Lianne and family,
I accidentally came across the news of Edison’s passing. I am so very sorry and my heart and prayers go out to you all. I have many good memories of Edison while growing up.
With much care,
Maribeth
Maribeth Martin Braaksma says
Dear Lianne and family,
I accidentally came across the news of Edison’s passing. I am so very sorry and my heart and prayers go out to you all. I have many good memories of Edison while growing up.
With much care,
Maribeth Martin Braaksma
Peter Simon says
I happened to come across Edison’s Obituary when I was googling some family history of the Maxbass, ND area. Condolences to Clint and Burt. Remember the first time I met Burt at work in Valley City when I moved there.
After telling him where I was from, next day Burt told me Edison asked if my dad was still built like Hulk Hogan. Loll! He actually new him and my dad new him to from living in Westhope. We live in a such a small world.
By watching the tribute video a loving father and grandfather will be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you Clint and Burt.
Peter And Denise Simon
Grand Forks, ND
Maureen Hoaglund says
Great tribute to Eddie….Class of ’58 ~! I’ll always remember Eddie w/fond memories. Those high school years and kids (at our end of town) getting together ; having a good time. Such good ole days.
Great seeing Eddie’s family pictures; beautiful children and a loving granddad~!
Maureen (White) Hoaglund
Rocky Hill, N.J.