Dwight Gene Martin

Gene, born to Dwight and Olive Martin, grew up in Columbus, Ohio. The family moved to Los Angeles California where Gene played the saxophone and clarinet in the high school band. He joined the United States Air Force and served in Puerto Rico. He attended flight training at Bartow Air Force Base in Florida. It was there that Gene met his love of his life Dottie, who was in college at Weber State, the all-girls business college. They were married in Port Clinton Ohio on October 10, 1953 and moved to Los Angeles, California, eventually settling in Anaheim to raise their family. Gene worked with his dad at North American Aviation as a flight test engineer on X-15 and XB-70 projects. He became close friends with Astronaut Al White and Bob Hoover, test pilots for North American. He was promoted to Director of Flight Test Engineering for the B-1 Bomber project and spent many years at Edwards Air Force base. Gene retired at the age of 55. Dot and Gene moved to Merlin Oregon and built their dream home in the mountains. While in Oregon, Gene was President of the local Lutheran Church and oversaw the construction of new sanctuary. They eventually moved to Berry Creek Country Club in Georgetown Texas to join Mitch and his family. Gene continued to volunteer at church with various construction projects.

Gene loved water sports, and built two ski boats with his dad. He loved to ski on speed skis, trick skis and slalom skis on Colorado River. He also loved to sail and race sailboats and owned multiple cruising and racing sailboats. He participated in multiple Newport to Ensenada regattas and Catalina Island races. Gene also loved to listen to live music and especially enjoyed Jazz with smooth saxophones.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Dottie, daughter Valerie Kaye and daughter in law Shannon Martin. He is survived by his two sons Brad and Mitch, daughter in law Pam, sister La Donna Jimenez and grandchildren Haley, Valerie, Cole and Avery.

The family would like to thank Hill Country Bible Church for their support and prayers, and the staff of Georgetown Living Home Health Care for the care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations to the National Kidney Foundation to improve care for kidney failure patients.