Jerry L. Martin

Jerry Lowell Martin, 92, of Hermiston passed away on Dec. 18, 2024, in Pendleton. A celebration of life will take place Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. at Heppner Elks Lodge with a meal to follow. A private burial will be held at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery later that day. Please wear your favorite sports attire.

Jerry was born in Waterloo, Iowa on May 18, 1932, to Harry and Elizabeth Lamkin Martin. He attended grade school and junior high in Waterloo. He attended high school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he graduated in the winter of 1951.

The fall of 1952 he attended Upper Iowa University to become a teacher. He had only completed two years when he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force during the Korean war. He did not see active duty.

While in the Air Force he played a football bowl game in Texas. The Air Force team lost 60-0. Jerry said, "They were huge opponents, so we all stayed away from them so we wouldn't get hurt."

After he was discharged, he returned to Upper Iowa University in 1954 to complete his teaching credentials. During his years in college, he was a baseball pitcher and quarterback for the college.

He met his future wife, Ione Reed, and they were married August 18, 1956. She was also a teacher.  They both started their teaching career. In 1957 they welcomed their first child, Cynthia Rae. In 1961 another daughter, Lisa Ann, joined them and, in 1962, a son, Scott Reed, was born.

Jerry did not like the hard winters or the hot summers in Iowa. In 1965 the family moved from Iowa to Ione, OR. They stopped in Boise along the way and purchased a manufactured home, which was moved to Ione on the school grounds. They pulled a little "Flintstone" camper across the states.

He taught junior high in Ione, where he taught all three of his children—they did not get away with anything. In 1977, he transferred to Irrigon, OR, where he taught until he retired in 1992. He continued subbing until he was in his 80s.

Jerry also refereed basketball and football for years, traveling all over Eastern Oregon.

He loved playing golf, bowling, ping pong (which he was pretty good at), going to horse races and gambling at Wildhorse. His least favorite word is inquiry! He also loved caramel macchiatos.

Jerry had four grandchildren—Chad Doherty, Adam Doherty, Kylie (Doherty) Simpkins and Lukas Martin. He also had three great-grandchildren, Bridget Doherty, Lylian Doherty and Malcolm Simpkins.  He loved going to their sports events and spending time with them.

Jerry taught junior high for 30 years and substituted another 20 into his 80s. Jerry and Ione were married for 68 years. He will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Ione Martin; daughters, Cindi (Mike) Doherty and Lisa (Terry) Mort; son Scott (Kelly), four grandkids and three great-grandkids; sister, Mary Kay (Rocky) Petersen; and brother Larry (Linda) Martin.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to #358 Heppner Elks Lodge, PO Box 494, Heppner, Oregon 97836.

Sweeney Payton Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.  Please leave your condolence messages for the family below.