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We announce the peaceful passing of David Omen Martin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great, great grandfather, businessman, inventor, church leader, at the age of 95 on April 7, 2025, in South Jordan, Utah. He was surrounded by his children. He has now joined his sweetheart Virginia and many cherished family members in a joyful reunion in heaven.
He was born to David Martin and Ruby Baird Martin on October 28,1929, in Cowley, Wyoming. He was the youngest of 5 children. He met the love of his life, Virginia, at Stake Conference in San Diego, California. He was in the U.S. Navy, stationed in North Island, California and later in Japan as a Seabee (Construction Battalion), receiving an honorable discharge in 1951.
On October 5th, 1950, David was married and sealed to his beautiful wife Virginia Marie Hedlund in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They made their home in Salt Lake City, Utah, loving and raising their 4 children, Kenneth, Beth Ann, Diana, and Michael.
David loved his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. The family remembers the fun at reunions in their home and afar. Mom and Dad's ice cream party at their home after General Conference Priesthood Session was continuous for 65 years.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved serving in many positions including: missionary, Scout Master, Stake Mission President, Bishopric Councilor, Bishop, High Council and Stake President of the Salt Lake Stake. David had a strong testimony of prophets and leaders of The Church, the mission of Jesus Christ, and loved to assert, “This is His Church!”
David was the CEO/owner of Martin Door Manufacturing (Martin Garage Doors) for 61 years. His passion was inventing many items to improve the quality and safety of his garage doors and held scores of US Patents. He was excited about having doors in over 90 countries. David and Virginia enjoyed traveling the world developing lifetime relationships. His goal was to share the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with nearly everyone he met. He liked having a family business that included many friends, his own children and some of the family of his older brother Leno.
David was a long time member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers and the Salt Lake City Rotary International (Club 24). He served in many leadership positions in fields related to his business. These included: Associate Vice President of the Salt Lake Home Builders, President of the South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, President of the Utah Manufacturers’ Association, President of Far Western Garage Door Association and Director of both the Door & Operator Dealers of America and National Association of Garage Door Manufacturers.
David is survived by his children Kenneth (Sandi) Martin, Beth Ann Griggs Roberts, Diana (David) Haslam, Michael (Terry) Martin, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by David and Ruby Martin (parents), Leno (brother), LeNeve, Hazel and Venice (sisters), Julie Ann Griggs (granddaughter), Aliza Sparti (granddaughter), Charles Hossfield (grandson), Laura Henderson Martin (daughter-in-law).
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 19th at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery Chapel 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.
11:00 am Private Family Viewing
12:00 pm Funeral
1:00 pm Interment at gravesite.
1:30 pm Family Lunch (for immediate family members).
Because of space limitations, a zoom link is available https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83823517321
Guestbook/Condolences
Dear Kenny, Beth, Diana and Michael, We are saddened to hear of the passing of your dear father and our sweet Uncle David. We love your parents and will miss them. They were so kind and welcoming to us when we would come to visit. We fondly remember attending the ice crean parties after conference! Your Dad was a remarkable businessman, community leader, gave faithfully as he served in the church and was a loving husband and father. His example is inspirational to us and all who knew him..
We pray you will be blessed with comfort and the peace of knowing that families are eternal. You are in our prayers.
Our Love, Shayne McCook Despain and all of the Ron McCook family
So sorry for your loss. Dave was always so kind to me. I think about your family awesome when I drive by your old house in the canyon rim area.
we start as a dealer with Martin Door in Sweden 2006. David was a very friendly and considerate person. We make great success on the Swedish market together with David. Thank you for everything❤️
I worked for Martin door back in the late 80’s. I had many conversations with David through out the years , he was always friendly and knew my name . I’ve been in the garage door business for over 40 years and own GDS-Garage Door Service . I always try to treat my customers the way David taught me so long ago . Very sorry for your loss , Dave and Diana .
Jeff Smith and family
May your travels be awesome. Thank you for all you did for the Industry.
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. Our love and prayers are with you. Diana and David Haslem we love you and know that you are in our prayers during this time.
I owned and ran Morgan Door Company in Burley Idaho for over 30 years and have done lots of business with Martin Doors. They always treated me very well. I sold my business to my son Roger Morgan back in about 2006 while serving three missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I offer my condolence to the family, David was a great man, a great business man and a faithful member of the church.
Lynn Morgan of Burley, Idaho
I'm so sorry for your loss. When I was at your home in the 1970's with Beth, he (and your mom) were always such kind and refined people. I know he and your mom are together again. What a blessing it is to know that life and family are eternal!
To Beth and Ken (whom I know) and the rest of your family, my thoughts are prayers are with you.
Love, Karen
Bob and Rebecca have known David and Virginia for almost 50 and 45 years, respectively. They were good friends and wonderful, inspirational Church leaders. Bob served on a High Council under Pres. Martin for many years. Dave's leadership style was always thoughtful and inspired by the Spirit. Many incredible things were accomplished in the Salt Lake Stake under Dave's leadership. He also sold us our first garage door, which worked wonderfully. RIP.
My family and I extend our condolences to the Martins family on the loss of their Mr. David Omen Martin. May he rest in peace.
We sure loved Dave. He gave us opportunities we might never have had. We have also loved getting to know his children and consider you all friends. We had not heard of Virginia’s passing, she was truly a lovely woman. Please accept our sincere condolences and know that we will keep you in our prayers. We look forward to seeing some of you soon.
We sure loved Dave. He gave us opportunities we might never have had. I might even be related to that fine Scotsman! We have also loved getting to know his children and consider you all friends. We had not heard of Virginia’s passing, she was truly a lovely woman. Please accept our sincere condolences and know that we will keep you in our prayers. We look forward to seeing some of you soon.
Our hearts are with you all at this time and always.
I'll never forget the ice cream parties and epic hide-and-seek games we played throughout the house. I also have many great memories of the Martin Door holiday parties. I'm glad he built that business because it blessed our family and made it the most epic place to play games during the evening when no one was there. Rest in peace, Uncle Dave O!
I’m sorry I missed this, I was just told today of David’s passing. I worked at Martin Door in the 80s and early 90s. David and his family built a great company and it was a blessing in my life to work there and to know David personally. He’s a great man!
Sending my love to the Martin Family at the passing of their dear father, Dave Martin. I served with dear Virginia in the Salt Lake Council of Women along with their daughters and Dave was always so supportive of our activities. He leaves a great legacy and testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ.
With love,
Melanie Bowen