| Name |
George Maybee Martin |
| Birth |
18 Jun 1906 |
Mohler, Idaho  [1] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Anecdote |
1994 |
Yakima, Washington |
- GEORGE "SKOOKUM" MARTIN; George Maybee Martin's nickname was "Skookum" Martin. It means Good and Strong.
Yakima Valley Gallery of Recognition
(Yakima's Hall of Fame)
CITATION
GEORGE MAYBEE MARTIN
LAWYER- SCOUTER- HISTORIAN- COMMUNITY- BUILDER
George Martin was born in Mohler, Idaho, on June 18 1906, to George S. and Janet Dove Martin. They moved to Mabton, Washington in 1908, where George graduated from Mabton High School with honors. He received two degrees from the University of Washington - Electrical Engineering in 1928 and Juris Doctor (Law) 1939.
He married Elizabeth Harrington Stafford on June 14, 1930, and they have four children -- Jean Menning, Jane Johnson, George and Jonathan.
George has practiced law in Yakima from 1940. He is admitted to most Federal Courts. He was the President of the Yakima County Bar in 1966; and he worked with Justice Douglas to bring the U.S. Supreme Court materials of Justice Douglas to the Yakima Valley Museum.
He has been in scouting for over 70 years as an Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, Council President and member of the Fort Simcoe Council. He has served on the Regional Executive Boards, the National Council. He has been awarded the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope. He has served on the staff of two international Jamborees.
George has been a life-long student and researcher of the history of Yakima Valley and Central Washington and has written and published many newspaper articles and has lectured in many schools and to many organizations.
As an historian he was on the Board of the Diamond and Centennial celebrations of Yakima City and co-authored books for both. During 1986-1990 he has served as the Yakima County Chairman of the Washington State Centennial Celebration.
As a community builder he has been a dreamer and has then worked to make those dreams come true, with the help and cooperation of many other dreamers and doers. He led the drive to create the Rural Yakima County Library District; and the Yakima County Regional Library, where he served as Trustee and President for 22 years. He also helped organize several other library groups. The Yakima Valley Museum was started by the Daughters of the Pioneers who asked for his help - he has been with the museum since 1944 and has served as President and in many other capacities. He helped found the Frontier Museum and served on its board as President. He has been active in the Central Washington Agricultural Museum.
George and H. Dean Gule organized the Fort Simcoe Mool-Mool Society and secured the restoration of Fort Simcoe as a State Historic Park.
During World War II he was Commander of the Yakima County Civil Defense and served on the USO and was chairman of several fund drives.
In 1944 George, Donald C. Keith and Ed Mueller, were the original founders of the Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and George has served the hospital ever since.
George Martin has been honored in many ways -- by the Campfire Girls; The American Legion medal for service to God and Country; the "Others" Award of the Salvation Army; and many citations. He is listed in Who's Who of America and Who's Who of the World. In 1989 he was cited by the Governor as an outstanding volunteer in the State of Washington. He was 1985 Yakima Person of the Year.
George Martin is commonly known as MR.YAKIMA!
|
| Note |
- Maybee Society Member #1. Cofounder and first President of the Maybee Society from July 1987 to February 1994
|
| Obituary |
21 Feb 1994 |
Yakima, Washington [2] |
- Today, the editor, George M. Martin, passed away. While we are all in a state of shock, even several days later, we are also relieved that he went quickly and with no pain. As his doctors commented, he was a gentleman to the end. The Yakima Valley has truly lost a great man, and his passing does indeed mark the end of an era.
George Jr. and Jonathan arrived, and began the tasks of arranging the funeral -- greatly aided by arrangements that George M. had made many years ago. George and Betty's help, Rosie and Kathleen, were magnificent and have been throughout the ordeal.
Jane arrived in the afternoon and made the many difficult calls to family and friends.
Tuesday, February 22: In the morning George helped around the house while Jonathan took care of judging duties in Union Gap. In the afternoon, Jean and Ed flew in, and immediately pitched in to help Betty in every way and to help George Jr. and Jonathan finalize the arrangements.
Betty has been doing extremely well, and has done so much for everyone in the face of her own sorrow. When we weren't busy, there were many tales swapped of our lives with Gramps. Ina and Seth spent a large part of the day, and the little guy helped everyone remember life.
Wednesday, February 23: Kurt and Lis arrived from Montana and Texas. Jonathan, Ina, Dante, Napoleon and Seth also were here. After a family get together the Rimrock Martins headed home, and the rest stayed and enjoyed many family tales and legends. The day had been clear and warm, but by late evening, it was snowing hard. Over 15" had fallen at Rimrock, and all of the passes were closed off and on. George, Jr. decided to remain in Yakima, and have Vic and Wendy fly over. All made it home safely.
Thursday, February 24: The morning began at Rimrock House with a large limb and tree crown crashing down where the cars are usually parked. For whatever reason, Jonathan had decided to move the new van out from under the tree. Whew!
Today was the day of George's funeral, held at the First Presbyterian Church. Most of the morning and early afternoon were spent getting ready, and drawing together.
We went to church about two in the afternoon, during a snowstorm, of course, (I can't help but wonder if Gramps didn't order it up ..) The church was packed with family and George's many friends from all over the West. The service was very nice, and was done as he wished it: the music he selected, and the actual service followed by a Masonic service of the Rose Croix. One remark of the minister sticks in my mind: he commented that it might be easier to list the activities that George was not involved with. As requested, the service was closed casket, but there were many lovely flowers and arrangements. After the funeral, there was a nice reception for all of the guests and family. George would have loved the crowd. That evening, George Jr, Vic and Wendy left for Bellevue and then flew to San Francisco for Wendy's birthday.
Friday, February 25: Today was supposed to be the day for everyone to lighten up and relax. It didn't happen. In the afternoon, Grammie, Jonathan, Jean and Jane spent much time going through a small part of Gramp's memorabilia and clothing, and generally sharing memories. The strength of this woman is simply magnificent!
Saturday, February 26: Today we laid the ashes of this man for all seasons to rest, in a short family service. Jonathan asked all who wished to make short speeches, and then read Chapter XII, verses 1 through 7 of the Book of Ecclesiastes, afterwards, Taps was sounded.
|
| Funeral |
21 Feb 1994 |
First Presbyterian Church, Yakima, Washington [3] |
- Funeral Service of George Maybee Martin
"Skookum"
In Memory of George Maybee Martin
Born June 18, 1906 in Mohler, Idaho
Died February 21,1994 Yakima, Washington
Funeral Service First Presbyterian Church
Thursday February 24, 1994 3:00 PM
Officiating Dr. Ray Riese, Pastor
First Presbyterian Church Yakima, WA
Concluding by Masonic Lodge
Music Selections:
"Greensleeves"
"In The Sweet By and By"
Congregational Hymn:
"Help Somebody To-Day"
Organist Jon Waite
Private Inurnment,
West HillsMemorialPark Yakima, WA
|
| Death |
21 Feb 1994 |
Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Yakima, Washington [4, 5] |
| Obituary |
23 Feb 1994 |
Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, Washington |
- George M. Martin, a longtime Yakima attorney whose numerous civic pursuits and dedication to the community spanned more than half a century, did Monday at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, He was 87.
"He was a giant of a lawyer and giant of a person who always looked for how he could help the community," said Yakima County District Court Judge Randall Marquis, who worked alongside Martin for 23 years in private practice. "He was a man who would reach out and help the little guy, even when he didn't have the money to pay his fees. He was part of a dying breed."
Martin's accomplishments included decades of service to the Boy Scouts, the Salvation Army, Camp Fire Girls and the American Legion. A noted historian, he was a driving force behind the formation of the Yakima Valley Museum, The fort Simcoe Restoration Society, and the Yakima Valley Regional Library.
Among his most notable achievements, however came in 1950 when he and a handful of others spearheaded creation of Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. For Martin it was a pursuit born out of frustration and despair of watching helplessly as a friend's daughter died of polio in the 1940's. He served as the hospital's attorney and secretary of its board of directors for more than three decades.
In recognition of this lifetime of contributions, the Yakima Valley Herald-Republic named him person of the year in 1985. At that time he found it difficult talking about himself but described his philosophy of giving to the community this way: "You see something that seems to be a need ... and you become involved. . . . But while others around him were chasing money, Martin pursued the good of the Yakima area.
"He always did his level best for the community," Jonathan M. Martin, his son and former law partner who now serves as Union Gap Municipal Court Judge.
Born June 18 1906, at Mohler, Idaho, Martin and his parents moved to Mabton two years later. Martin was the valedictorian of the 1924 graduating class at Mabton High School. He graduated from the University of Washington four years later with a degree in electrical engineering.
In 1930, he married Elizabeth Harrington Stafford. Later, Martin returned to the University of Washington, graduating with a law degree in 1939.
The legal profession had a long history within Martin's family. His great-grandfather, Heinrich Theodor Martin, was a judge in Germany, and his father George S. Martin, was a lawyer in Oregon.
Martin and his wife left Seattle in 1940 and returned to Yakima, where he opened a law practice and eventually became president of the Yakima County Bar Association. Martin began immersing himself in community activism almost immediately, serving on the governing boards of more than a dozen various organizations over the years.
EDITORIAL
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
FEBRUARY 23, 1993
GEORGE M. MARTIN LEAVES LASTING LEGACY Yakima has lost a giant of a community supporter with the passing Monday of George M. Martin, longtime local Attorney.
While a noted lawyer from a family of lawyers, it was in community service that Martin made a tremendous impact and which provides a lasting legacy.
Martin provided decades of service to the Boy Scouts, the Salvation Army, Camp Fire and the American Legion. A noted historian, he was a driving force behind the formation of the Yakima Valley Museum, the Fort Simcoe Restoration Society and the Yakima Valley Regional Library.
He and a handful of others spearheaded creation of Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, the modern health-care complex in which he died. For Martin it was a pursuit born out of frustration and despair watching helplessly as a friend's daughter died of polio in the 1940's. He served as the Hospital's attorney and secretary of its board of directors for more than three decades.
We at the Yakima Herald-Republic are pleased to have been able to honor this tireless community activist who gave so much of himself with our Person of the Year award in 1985 when he was chairman of the Yakima County Centennial celebration. Certainly no one was more deserving.
Yakima will long remember, and note, the contributions of George M. Martin, a gentleman and a scholar, a community servant and a soaring spirit. Even the most common polite inquiry, "How are you George?" to Martin always evoked a terse, upbeat response, unique in the Yakima language and historical perspective so dear to Martin.
George was simply always and without exception skookum.
by David Wasson of the Herald-Republic
|
| Obituary |
28 Feb 1994 |
Yakima, Washington [6] |
- Southwest Rotary's beloved George M. Martin went to his eternal rest Monday, February 21, 1994.
George, if anyone, truly exemplified "Mr. Rotary" by his philosophy of life. He gave of himself, often without thought of or accepting remuneration. the Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, Camp Fire Girls, and American Legion, all have felt his indelible influence. Those organizations not being enough, George also was a driving force behind the formation of the Yakima Valley Museum, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, and the Yakima Valley Regional Library.
Very fittingly, George was given the honor of Person of the Year in 1985 by the Yakima Herald-Republic. In a Rotary type comment at that time, George said "You see something that seems to be a need ... and you become involved."
Our departed Rotarian was born June 18, 1906, at Mohler, Idaho. His public schooling was received in Mabton where he was valedictorian of his graduation class. He earned two degrees at the University of Washington, the latter a law degree.
George is survived by his beloved wife Elizabeth (Harrington Stafford) to whom he was wed in 1930 -- 64 years ago. Other survivors include sons George S. of Bellevue and Jonathan H. of Rimrock; daughters Jane Martin Johnson of Yakima and Jean Martin Menning of Estes Park, Colorado; and a sister Esther Martin Ness of Poulsbo. Seven grandchildren also survive.
George will be missed by Southwest Rotary. All Southwest Rotarians extend their heartfelt sympathy to the family of George M. Martin, a truly great man.
|
| Witness-Obituary |
30 Mar 2019 |
Medford, Taylor County, Wisconsin [7] |
- Jacqueline "Jackie" S. Mabie, of Medford, passed away on March 26, 2019 at her home, surrounded by family, her dog, Lassie Lou and Hope Hospice. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Jackie was born in Medford on Sept. 29, 1954 to the late Evangeline and Alden Peterson, Sr. On May 4, 1973, she married Robert J. Mabie at Mondeaux Dam and he preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 2014. Jackie was an awesome cook and worked at various restaurants. She also worked as a CNA, fire tower watch person and worked at Weather Shield and Maple Island for 17 years, until retirement. Jackie enjoyed casino runs, lottery tickets, camping, fishing and road trips with her grandchildren. She also liked watching Judge Judy, rescuing puppy mill dogs, playing endless games of Yahtzee, cooking and baking chocolate chip cookies.
Jackie is survived by her children, Brad (Alex) Peterson of Mosinee, Bobby Joe (Clover) Mable and Christopher (Jessica) Mabie, all of Medford; 10 grandchildren, Bianca Peterson of Rib Lake, Brent Peterson and Harley, Amber, Zeke, Sebastian, Alex Mabie, all of Medford, Brandy Carlsen of Phillips and Erik and Nicole Peterson of Mosinee; six great-grandchildren; siblings, William Peterson and Jeff Peterson, both of Westboro and Kay Rinehart of Ogema.
In addition to her parents and husband, Jackie was preceded in death by three siblings, Alden (Earl) Peterson Jr., Nancy Schreiner and Walter Peterson.
|
| Reference Number |
1 |
| Person ID |
I1 |
Maybee Society |
| Last Modified |
7 Apr 2024 |
1906 - 1994 (87 years)
