Gary Lee Martens

Gary Lee Martens, resident of Selma, died at the home he loved after a lengthy illness on May 20, 2022. Gary moved to Selma, Oregon from Lodi, California in 2002.

Gary was born in Lodi, California on February 16, 1949 to Henry Harm Martens and Barbara Elaine Martens. He graduated from Lodi High School in 1967 and was married to Freda Louise Johnson the same year. After graduating high School, Gary entered the Boilermaker Apprenticeship Program attaining Journeyman level in 1974. He worked at locations throughout California until his retirement as a veteran Journeyman Boilermaker. He worked on countless water towers, power plants, and boilers with notable projects such as the New Melones Dam and Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant. He was conscientious and respected in his career field. Gary was captured by Oregon’s beauty and people.

He was a member of the National Rifleman’s Association, Boilermakers Union Local 549, and the Good Shepherd Church of the Illinois Valley. His hobbies included shooting, camping, trail riding, hunting, NASCAR, reading western novels, BBQ Gatherings (4th of July and at the church), and wood/metal fabrication. Gary was active in the church and loved helping elderly local residents. He assisted with donating and transporting food from the church food bank to local residents in need on a regular basis.

His survived by Freda Martens and sons, Gary Lewis Martens of Galt, California and Gregory Wade Martens of Webster, Massachusetts; grandsons, Marshall Lee Martens and Wade Lewis Martens, both of Galt, California; sisters, Joyce Taylor and Doreen Bean, both of Stockton, California; and brother, Henry Martens of Lodi, California. He is preceded in death by both parents and sisters Doris Ann Martens, Judy Martens, and Betty Lou Martens.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on May 28, 2022 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of the Illinois Valley, 150 Lewis Court, Cave Junction, Oregon 97523. A memorial gathering for Gary’s friends and family residing near Lodi, California will be announced in the near future. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations in Gary’s name be made to your local food bank.