Donald Joe Martin

Donald Joe Martin, 67, died at home on December 1, 2012, after a courageous battle with Cancer. He was born in Nampa on January 9, 1945 to Joe D. and Ethel Irene (Bledsoe) Martin. He started early in the livestock business with 4H and FFA with steers and pigs. He worked with his father with the farming and livestock production. This carried into his own ranching and farming career. He married Eleanor Garrett on May 10, 1969 at Winnemucca, NV. He started into the stock cow and horse racing ventures which she was already in when they married. They got into the sheep business with Jim having his first ewe in 4H that produced three lambs and started the herd that at times exceeded 50 plus. They ranched in the Dixie/Notus area from 1969 to the present. He lived his whole life in Canyon County except for basic training in Texas with the Air Force, and while he attended college at Moscow, Idaho. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1963 and from The University of Idaho in 1968. As well as ranching he also worked for a corn seed company as a researcher, for Richardson Feedlots, and drove truck for Ed Feller Trucking. He enjoyed working with cattle and driving the big trucks over the mountains to the Columbia River country hauling potatoes and grain. He was a long time member of the Thoroughbred Association and Farm Bureau. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Eleanor, a son James A. Martin (Theresa), a grandson dirk Martin, all of LaGrange, Kentucky, His mother Irene Martin of Caldwell, and a sister Bev Martin of Ola, Idaho, and special family friends Leo Dicus and family. He was preceded in death by his father Joe D. Martin. Memorial graveside services will be at 2:00PM on Thursday, December 6, 2012, at Canyon Hill Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com. Service Information