Walter McMartin

Walter Philip McMartin Jr, 86, passed away on May 12, 2023.

Walter was born on November 11, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Walter Philip McMartin, Sr, and Marion Molly (Sugarman) McMartin. He was the second of four children with three sisters: Gloria (McMartin) Rector, Marilyn (McMartin) Ascher, and Margaret Carolyn McMartin. His early years were spent in Minneapolis where he attended public school and graduated from Edison High in 1954.

After serving in the US Air Force in South Korea, he was transferred to Valdosta, GA. There he met his wife and soulmate of over 61 years, Mary Anne (Pennington) McMartin. Together they were blessed with 3 wonderful children: Marion Lee (McMartin) Goins, David Alan McMartin, and Katherine Louise (McMartin) Renton.

Walt was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Sun City, serving as a Deacon, church representative to Habitat for Humanity and other programs. He was also a member of Masons and Scottish Rite in Peoria and Sun City. It was through this that, for over 8 years, he organized and led a school program in Peoria called “Bikes for Books” encouraging children of all grade levels to read more books and have the opportunity to win one of a number of new bicycles given away by his Masonic Lodge several times per school year.

Walt had numerous hobbies, one of which was woodworking (Rocking Horses, rocking chair, grandfather clock, and furniture.) A second hobby or sport, of which he never tired… was Sporting Clay competition, which involved Trap and Skeet shooting of clay discs. He was awarded a Gold Medal in the Senior Olympics in Trap shooting competition in Arizona.

He had a rich life, through a loving family, a trust in his Lord, a long and happy marriage, 3 beautiful children, 5 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. He enjoyed a career in aerospace, retiring from Rocket Research (Olin Corporation) and moving to Arizona for his retirement years in 1998. 

Preceding him in death were his parents, Walter McMartin Sr and Marion (Sugarman) McMartin; his sister, Gloria (McMartin) Rector; and his beloved daughter Marion Lee (McMartin) Goins. 

He is survived in his immediate family by his wife, Mary (Pennington) McMartin; son, David A McMartin; and youngest daughter, Katherine L (McMartin) Renton (Steven). 

Additional survivors include son-in-law Ronald Goins (spouse of deceased daughter, Marion) 5 granddaughters: Katherine L (Goins) Bautista (Juan); Kimberly G Renton; Krysta A Renton; Rachel E (Goins) Mead (James); and Shelby L Renton; 6 great grandchildren: Kiana S Renton Davis; Evelyn R Mead; Oliver H Bautista; Madison A Mead; Mackenzie J Mead; and Elinor L Bautista.

He will be lovingly missed by all.