Obituary for Walter David Martinz
Walter David Martinz, 69, passed away Monday March 7, 2016 at Parkview Care Center in Billings.
David was the first born child to Walt and Mildred Martinz on June 29, 1946 in Big Timber.
David, affectionately known as Farmer, attended school in Big Timber, graduating in 1965. He joined the Navy in December 1965. After serving four years, He began working for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a signalman. David reenlisted in the Navy in 1971 and continued serving our country until 1991.
While on the USS Ranger Aircraft Carrier, David worked on A6 Intruder Aircraft. David was aboard the USS Ranger in the Sea of Japan at the time of his sister Diane’s death March 16, 1968. He was notified of her death via The Red Cross. Arrangements were made put into action to get him home. David was strapped into a C-2 aircraft facing backward, then catapulted from the deck zero to 130 miles per hour in less than 100 ft. That was a thrill for him. He was aboard the USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier during it’s involvement in the evacuation of Vietnam in 1975.
While mostly stationed on Whidbey Island NAS, Oak Harbor, Washington, he spent service time and free time with his brother Robert also stationed there.
After returning to Big Timber he did many things of interest. Some things include shooting and precision loading, hunting, fishing, flying kites and tinkering. David spent many summers in Quartzsite, AZ working crafts and spending time with friends. David enjoyed cooking and a love of gardening. He became a Master Gardener. As community service to attain the certified title of Master Gardener he helped at the Special K Ranch near Columbus. He gained many special friends there. David enjoyed sharing crops from his garden, especially his pumpkins. David got enjoyment being around his family and friends.
With a long time of health complications, David was slow to lose hope and carried on valiantly until he could carry on no more.
David you will be missed by those who loved you and those who you loved so dearly.
David is survived by sisters Mary Ann (Jim) Parrent of Big Timber, Judy (Greg) Hampson of Sheridan, WY, brothers James of Sheridan, WY (Tammy of Afton, WY), Charlie (Sara) of Great Bend, KS, Mike (Janet) of Big Timber and Duane (Nancy) of Custer, SD. Nieces and nephews include Waide, Brenda, Scottie, Tania, Bill, Jackie, Ben, Joe, Andrea, Jason, Austin, Sterling, Hanna, Sage and newborn Ethan, Cheyenne, ShaeLee, Craig, Angie, Cody, Blake and many cousins. David was preceded in death by his brother Robert, his parents and his brother John and sister Diane.
See you tomorrow Farmer.
David was the first born child to Walt and Mildred Martinz on June 29, 1946 in Big Timber.
David, affectionately known as Farmer, attended school in Big Timber, graduating in 1965. He joined the Navy in December 1965. After serving four years, He began working for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a signalman. David reenlisted in the Navy in 1971 and continued serving our country until 1991.
While on the USS Ranger Aircraft Carrier, David worked on A6 Intruder Aircraft. David was aboard the USS Ranger in the Sea of Japan at the time of his sister Diane’s death March 16, 1968. He was notified of her death via The Red Cross. Arrangements were made put into action to get him home. David was strapped into a C-2 aircraft facing backward, then catapulted from the deck zero to 130 miles per hour in less than 100 ft. That was a thrill for him. He was aboard the USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier during it’s involvement in the evacuation of Vietnam in 1975.
While mostly stationed on Whidbey Island NAS, Oak Harbor, Washington, he spent service time and free time with his brother Robert also stationed there.
After returning to Big Timber he did many things of interest. Some things include shooting and precision loading, hunting, fishing, flying kites and tinkering. David spent many summers in Quartzsite, AZ working crafts and spending time with friends. David enjoyed cooking and a love of gardening. He became a Master Gardener. As community service to attain the certified title of Master Gardener he helped at the Special K Ranch near Columbus. He gained many special friends there. David enjoyed sharing crops from his garden, especially his pumpkins. David got enjoyment being around his family and friends.
With a long time of health complications, David was slow to lose hope and carried on valiantly until he could carry on no more.
David you will be missed by those who loved you and those who you loved so dearly.
David is survived by sisters Mary Ann (Jim) Parrent of Big Timber, Judy (Greg) Hampson of Sheridan, WY, brothers James of Sheridan, WY (Tammy of Afton, WY), Charlie (Sara) of Great Bend, KS, Mike (Janet) of Big Timber and Duane (Nancy) of Custer, SD. Nieces and nephews include Waide, Brenda, Scottie, Tania, Bill, Jackie, Ben, Joe, Andrea, Jason, Austin, Sterling, Hanna, Sage and newborn Ethan, Cheyenne, ShaeLee, Craig, Angie, Cody, Blake and many cousins. David was preceded in death by his brother Robert, his parents and his brother John and sister Diane.
See you tomorrow Farmer.
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Previous Events
Memorial Service
Saturday
16
Jul
11:00 AM
Stenberg Funeral Home
215 Anderson Street
PO Box 723
Big Timber, MT 59011
Reception to follow at the American Legion
Cemetery Details
Location
Mountain View Cemetery
West of Big Timber
Big Timber, MT 59011
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