Donald Lee Martin

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Donald Lee Martin, an amazing husband, father, grandfather and adventurous companion to his wife through 45 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife Sondra (Soni), brother Ronald (Kathy) of Knoxville, IA, and children Shelly (Rick), Melissa (Greg), Mindy (Jim), Meredith (Greg), Roy (Becca), Karie (Steve) and Sara (Dave). Don also had 17 grandchildren, Meredith, Nathan, Garrett, Nico, Travis, Tyler, Mackenna, Nolan, Audrey, Sea, Liz, Easton, Ryan, Luke, Maclaine, Henry and Charlotte. Don was preceded in death by his granddaughter Brennin Sue.

Don was born in Kirksville, MO to Roy and Dottie Martin on June 17, 1944 and graduated from the University of Missouri, Rolla with an Electrical Engineering degree. He accepted a position with Consumers Power in 1968 and retired after 34 years of service from a career as a field construction supervisor. He loved his work and the people with whom he worked.

Don embraced any outdoor activity, particularly spending time at Higgins Lake with his family. He was an avid Corvette enthusiast, a fan of vintage cars, and enjoyed the hunt of antiquing and dinners on the beach in San Diego with his wife. Together, Don & Soni enjoyed traveling this great country in their 2001 RED Corvette!

Don was a generous and hardworking provider who loved his large and boisterous family. He had his own special way of showing his love for each person, but all received generous amounts of advice and guidance. His family enjoyed his cooking and grilling creations and in particular, his passion for ice cream, making malts at home or stopping for a cone along the way on any road trip.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Cascade Manor, 1970 Kibby Road, Jackson, MI on Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 12:00-3:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, Don requested donations be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation (www.lymphoma.org) to help further research for Lymphoma cures in his memory, others who have lost their lives to Lymphoma, and in honor of his surviving daughter, Melinda and others living with the disease.

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