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Eugene (Gene) Martin, age 85, of Claypool, Arizona, passed away September 27 at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center in Globe, Arizona.
Gene was born March 14, 1939 in Beech Creek, Kentucky to Doyle and Virginia Martin, and relocated to Claypool with them when he was 12 years old. He joined the Navy in 1956 and served 4 years until honorably discharged in 1960. While in the Navy he learned diesel mechanics, which he used to gain employment at the local open pit copper mine, where he worked as a heavy-duty diesel mechanic until he retired. Gene also did a voluntary tour of duty in Vietnam in 1968-1969, working as a Naval SeaBee (nickname for Construction Battalion) during a time when the copper mines were on strike.
While preferring a quiet, solitary lifestyle, Gene loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and sports, especially basketball. He was also a very avid runner, completing several marathons over his lifetime. He was known locally by many as ‘that guy who runs everywhere.’ He was also very supportive of those in need, and would offer assistance in whatever way he could, whether it be monetarily, providing food, or fixing someone’s vehicle so they could go about their daily activities. He would do this without asking for anything in return.
Gene is survived by his three children, Debra Caudill, Steve Martin, and Laura Avalos; 7 grandchildren, Remmie Pittman, Brandon Dominguez, Jarrod Avalos, Auri and Elijah Caudill, Brittany and Rachel Martin, and 7 great-grandchildren.
Gene was a great man, dearly loved by his family. He will be greatly missed. Private memorial services to be held, time and location pending.
