BuiltWithNOF
Dennis Michael Martin

Obituary
Dennis Michael Martin

Dennis Michael Martin, 56, of Mt. Pleasant passed away from this earthly life on Tuesday, August 20, 2002. Dennis’ life may have been short, but he overcame adversities with strength and determination. He was a hero to those who knew him. He valiantly fought against heart disease and Asbestos Poisoning. He was born October 17, 1945 in Salt Lake City. Dennis grew up in both Utah and California. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in Viet Nam.

Dennis enjoyed motorcycle riding, shooting, fishing and lately traveling in his RV with his wife and dogs. Dennis was known around Sanpete County as “Doggie Daddy” for his amazing work rehabilitating more than 60 abused and abandoned dogs during the last four years.

Dennis was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in all callings asked of him. Dennis was a machinist and small business owner. His honest and ethical business practices and technical expertise touched the lives of many in his career.
 

1964

Dennis became a pioneer in Utah’s medical community by being implanted with a Left Ventricular-Assist Device (LVAD.) He was the 44th person in this region to be implanted; he was only the fifth person in the world to be implanted past 1,000 days. He loved sharing his knowledge of this technology to anyone who might possibly benefit. Dennis was always willing to be an “experiment” to further data collection for the LVAD device to help future generations.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Diane; they were eternally sealed in the Manti Temple. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father.

Dennis is also survived by his mother Judy (Thelma) Martin, Mt. Pleasant; his brother Jack and wife Lisa Martin of Evanston, WY; his brother-in-law Jack and wife Deborah Murphy of Lynn, MA. Dennis’ children include Carol Anne and Dale, whereabouts unknown; Dennis Michael and partner Lisa Martin, Denver, CO; Daniel and Denise Martin-Huff, Denver, CO; Brian and wife Kimberly Martin, Rowland Heights, CA; and Rebecca Martin, Bullhead City, AZ. Dennis was a devoted grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

The family would like to give a special things to LDS Hospital’s Transplant/Heart Failure team and especially Thoracic Surgeon Dr. James Long; the nurses and staff of LDS Hospital’s East and West 7th floor; Dr. Dough Smith of Utah Valley Regional Medical Center IHC Home Health Care and IHC Home Terminal Care in Mt. Pleasant; the Mt. Pleasant 2nd Ward; the doctors, nurses and staff of the Sanpete Valley Hospital and the North Sanpete Valley EMTs who were always there to rescue Dennis regardless of day or time.

There will be a viewing held at the Maglby-Furner Mortuary in Mt. Pleasant on Monday, August 26, 2002 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M., and on Tuesday one hour before the services. The funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. at the Mt. Pleasant Stake Center (yellow church.) Friends and family are invited to attend. Burial will be at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.