Dayton LeRoy "Marty" Martindale passed away quietly on September 16, 2008. He was born on August 17, 1913, the son of Calvin Martindale and Myrta Nellans Martindale. After graduating from high school, "Marty" farmed in Kansas, then moved to Riverside, California, where he worked on his sister's ranch.

World War II saw him enlist in the United States Army, proud to serve his country, and eager to see the world. Stationed in Pearl Harbor, he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He supervised the Mess Hall, and he never lost his love of cooking! For years to come, his family and friends enjoyed Marty's home-cooked meals.

Just before he shipped out Marty was on leave in Illinois, where by chance he met Eleanor Francis, who would become his wife. They went for a hamburger, fell in love, developed a romance by mail, and the rest is history.

Marty and Eleanor were married on June 10, 1946. They lived and worked in Rockton and Rockford, Illinois. While there, Marty played on a minor league baseball team. He remained a sport enthusiast all his life. In 1956 they made a life-changing move to Eastern Washington. Marty had heard about the Bureau of Reclamation's plan to bring water into the desert which was the Columbia Basin – he looked at the move as an adventure and an opportunity. So, the beauty shop owner and the farm boy/soldier took their young family west.

For the next 30 years, Marty and Eleanor lived in Quincy, George and Royal City. They saw the land transformed from a desert wasteland into the lush farmland that it is today. They were true pioneers, as were so many of the early residents of the Columbia Basin… and the roots of the new friendships they developed went much deeper than those of the new crops that began to grow.

Marty always had a small farm while working for the Irrigation District. He also developed a renewed interest in a boyhood sport – horseshoe pitching. He went on to become a world-class champion in the sport. The house was always full of trophies, and memories of trips from Seattle to Fargo, Spokane to Salt Lake City.

Marty loved to garden, to hunt, to fish and to work with his dogs – always well-trained and by his side. Friends and family were his greatest joy – whether getting together for a cup of coffee, dinner, horseshoes or hunting. Marty just loved people!! He had a big smile and an even bigger heart.

After retiring, Marty and Eleanor bought a farm, where for a few years he enjoyed raising his crops and livestock, while Eleanor worked in her beauty shop in Royal City. Mt. Saint Helens and the ash that followed caused them to sell the farm and relocate to East Wenatchee, where they lived for 14 years. There Marty started a small window washing and janitorial business with his son Gary. He then took a job as a long-distance mail carrier for the post office, travelling from Wenatchee to Vantage daily until he retired again at the age of 82. The family always quipped that Dad was like the Energizer Bunny – he just never stopped. From gardening to grocery shopping, Marty remained active and interested in his children, his grandkids, his friends, his dogs, sports and life in general.

He is preceded in death by Eleanor, his wife of 55 years, and an infant daughter, Anne Marie.

Marty is survived by his sons Calvin and Gary Martindale; his daughters Mary Ann Lampert and Peggy Leon; eight grandchildren: Melanie Lampert-Knowlton and her husband Corey, Kyle and Dayton Martindale, Lucas, Andy, Carina, Sam and Amanda Leon. He is also survived by his sons-in-law Carlos Leon and Greg Lampert, daughter-in-law Valerie Martindale, and many relatives in the Midwest.

Marty is also survived by many dear friends, who have become "family" through the years. We are all better off for knowing and loving him. Marty lived 95 years of the Golden Rule, and he will be dearly missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA 99336.

Services will be held graveside at 1:00 PM Sunday, September 21, 2008 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 915 Bypass Hwy, Richland, 99352; 509-943-1114.