Obituary: Martz, Thomas Eugene
Age 80
Tom was born to parents Arthur Paul Martz Sr. and Inez Catherine Martz in Missoula, Montana on September 12, 1933; educated at St. Francis Xavier School and Missoula County High School.
He joined the Navy during the Korean war.
He was assigned to USS Ashtabula, a fleet tanker.
While aboard he spent 44 months at sea in the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Japan, China Sea, Formosa Straits and in the Philippines.
Tom loved military life and turned down an opportunity to be the Admiral’s aide in the Panama Canal.
Tom worked many jobs from machinist to salesman and eventually settled into law enforcement.
Tom worked as a Deputy Sheriff of Shasta County, California, police officer of Redding Police Department Redding, California.
Tom relocated to Spokane, Washington and worked as a security patrol officer throughout the Eastern section of Spokane, became Assistant Chief of Security at Holy Family Hospital, and then was Sgt.
of the Spokane International Airport.
He then worked in the hospital industry as executive housekeeper, laundry manager, along with safety security and fire.
Tom then met his future wife, Barbara at Bishop White Seminary.
They were married at our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Spokane, WA.
They relocated to the Tri-Cities where he worked in the hospital industry, and Barbara worked in the insurance industry.
Tom followed in his security work, working for Burns Security as a tactical officer at labor strikes in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, returned to become the manager of Metropolitan Security Company before the owners closed down all their nationwide accounts.
At that time they moved to Portland, Oregon where, once again returned to security work with Burns Security, Stanley Smith Security and finally rounded out the last nine years of a 39 year career as an armed security officer at the Portland Meadows Horse Track and Multnomah Dog Track.
Tom retired 18 years ago.
Tom spent his time remodeling the house, grooming their yard, planting gardens, camping and fishing.
Poor health set in including lung cancer and other afflictions.
Tom was preceded in death by parents Arthur Paul Martz Sr, Inez Catherine (Kramis) Martz, brother Arthur Paul Martz Jr. Donna Martz and grandson Evan Angel Bergeron.
He leaves behind his loving wife Barbara of 31 years; daughter: Denise Martz; son: Dennis Martz, Jared Bergeron and Jason Bergeron; granddaughters: Alexious Martz, Cassandra Bergeron, Kaylee Bergeron and Faith Bergeron as well as grandsons; Nicholas Martz, Austin Martz, Garrett Bergeron, Alex Bergeron and Levi Bergeron, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and his dearly beloved sister, Donna Hart of Missoula, Montana.
Tom struggled for the last ten years with chronic respiratory problems, malfunctions of his heart and Parkinson’s.
Visitation will be held Monday July 7, 2014 from 4-8pm and the Rosary will be at 7pm at Hennessey Valley Funeral Home at 1315 N. Pines, Spokane Valley, WA.
Funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 495 N. Lincoln Street, Post Falls, Idaho, Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at the WA State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake, WA at 3:00pm.
There will be no formal reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Convent of Christ the King, 1409 E. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
Our dear friend is Mother/Sister of that convent.
We would appreciate any donation made available.
Thank you for all your prayers of love.
Please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com, to leave a message of condolence.