Frank Martin Gage

Frank Martin Gage, 83, of Salem, Oregon, passed away on March 28, 2024. He was born on July 13, 1940, in Yakima, WA, to Frank Bryan and Laura Belle (Varley) Gage. When his father left to serve in WWII, Martin and his mother and two sisters moved to his grandfather’s ranch in Havilah, California, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At 5, he was on horseback, helping herd the sheep and goats. After his father returned, the family moved to the Bay Area. He graduated from Hayward High School and joined the Navy in 1958. He served active duty for 4 years, mostly aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga. He then served in the Naval Reserves until 1971. He was very proud of his military service.

On Christmas Day, 1959, he married Barbara Downey, and they had two children. During this time, he worked for Standard Register Company as a hospital systems analyst, travelling around the country helping hospitals plan and improve their business forms flow. They divorced in 1969, and he moved to Portland, OR. In 1971, he married Cheryl Davis, and they had one daughter. In Portland, he was owner/operator of a screen-printing business, as well as working at various other jobs. They divorced in 1979, and he moved to Salem.

On July 12, 1980, he married the love of his life, Terri Anne Braun. They spent the first 10 years of their marriage in Longview, Washington, where he managed the pre-press department for CoPrintco Business Forms. They made many lifelong friends there, but moved back to Salem in late 1989, where Martin continued to work in the printing industry. He semi-retired in 2005 and continued part-time work until he fully retired in 2015.

Martin was civic-minded and, in 1992, joined the board of Lansing Neighborhood Association.

He soon became Chairperson, and this led to his involvement in Salem Neighborhoods, Inc, eventually becoming Chair. He also served on several City of Salem citizen committees. In 1993, he was appointed by Gov. Barbara Roberts to represent Congressional District 5 on the Oregon State Fair Commission. He served his allowed two terms on the commission, leaving in 2001.

Martin greatly enjoyed riding motorcycles, especially his 1965 Harley-Davidson police trike. He restored a 1959 Ford Ranchero and a 1955 travel trailer for him and Terri to use for camping. He was very artistic, involved in painting, stained glass, wood carving and rockhounding. His most recent undertaking was building a lapidary shop, where he made jewelry from the rocks he and Terri collected. He was a beloved friend to virtually everyone he met and will be greatly missed by many.

Martin is survived by his wife, Terri, his children, Beth Dye, Martin Gage and Victoria Gage, sister-in-law Chris Foley, grandchildren Courtney, Trent, Michelle, Blake and Clara, great-grandchildren Trent, Caleb, Jaiden and Noelle, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Frances Gage and Mary Anna Puls.

A public viewing will be held Friday, April 5, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen Funeral Directors in Salem. A private graveside service will be held at a later time, and a celebration of life this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.