Dennis Jay Martin, of Thatcher, Arizona, passed away Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, following a short illness from pancreatic cancer. He was 76 years old.
Dennis was born in Placerville, California, to James and Ethel Martin, where he grew up.
After high school, he served a church mission in France and Belgium. When he returned home, he met and married Mary Huber from Mesa, Arizona, and attended ASU and BYU majoring in Education.
After graduation, he moved to Bowie, Arizona, where he taught and coached for two years. He then relocated to Thatcher, where he taught middle school, and coached football and golf for many years. He also coached football for EAC.
He moved on to become the principal at Thatcher Middle School and ended up in the administration office before retiring in 2010.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary; sons, Jeff, Rusty, Tad, Ryan, David, Greg, and Brad; 19 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Services are under the direction of the Vinning Funeral home with the viewing Thursday, Nov. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., and the funeral services Friday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 4050 W. Second St., Thatcher, Arizona.
