Obituary of Dean Jacob Martin

Dean was born Mar 14, 1961 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Don and Velma Martin. They moved to Brandon, Manitoba, White horse, Vancouver, Merit and finally settled in Chetwynd. Dean went to school in Chetwynd and was not one to sit and wait for something to happen. He soon got bored with school and in grade ten it was time to look for new adventures and go to work. When he came back to town after working up north or from the bush, he would always have these incredible stories to tell us about his adventures. Dean moved back to town in 1980 and got a job with West Fraser Lumber, it was time to settle down and meet someone. Dean and Sharon Chesley were married in 1981. In 1982 Dean started his battle with kidney disease having both kidneys removed. But he wasn't going to let this stop him from living life and in 1983 Darrell was born. Dean now had a little hunting partner. In 1984 Dean had his first kidney transplant. Dean and Sharon went their separate ways. Single life was not for Dean and he soon joined up with Wendy and her daughters Kristie and Sarah. It was now time for them to get a home together and before you knew it Dean was building his house. In 1994 Tamara was born. Life is now complete but his house was not. He worked hard to finish it and in 1994 the family moved in. After 14 years Dean's transplant begins to fail and he is back on dialysis. Brother Dennis donated his kidney in 1999. Dean has his life back doing the things he loved hunting, fishing, and biking. Dean was always exploring things; what's down that road and around that corner another great hunting spot, some unknown treasure; he loved to hunt. In 2003, 2004 Dean's transplant begins to fail and he is back on dialysis again. He is in for a fight and fight he did. He traveled into the states and across Canada and up into the north. Dean learned his mechanical skills from his dad, and hunting skills from his Mom. He got protection from his brother and sisters. These things he passed to his family. Dean is survived by his wife Wendy; son Darrell (Reina); daughters Kristie, Sarah, Tamara; grandson Aiden; father Don; mother Velma; brother Dennis (Julie); sisters Donna (Carl), Denise (Aaron), Deana (Warren), Pearl; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Presented by family friend Pat Borton. Dean passed away Monday, April 19, 2010 in Fort St. John, BC at the age of 49 years. A funeral service was held Friday, April 23, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Chetwynd Baptist Church; Pastor Bill Evans officiated; Interment followed in the Tuscoola Mountain Cemetery. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Dean to the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation Kidney Dialysis Unit.