Dennis James Martin February 10, 1944 - June 15, 2025

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, our loving father, husband, brother, and friend, Dennis James Martin passed away at the age of 81 in American Fork, Utah. Dennis was born on February 10, 1944, in Payson, Utah, the second son to Elaine Reynolds and Earl Wilford Martin.
He attended Peteetneet School, Payson Jr. High, and was a proud alumnus of Payson High School where he excelled in sports, being a star player on the basketball and football teams and a consistent winner on the track field throwing the discus and shot put. He was also an excellent student and a good artist. Following high school, he attended the Utah Trade Technical Institute, commonly known as “The Tech,” where he studied to become a licensed plumber and welder.
His first professional job took him to Houston, Texas. While working in Texas, he deeply missed his sweetheart, Sharlene Larsen, from Spanish Fork. They had often talked of marriage, so Sharlene soon packed up and joined him there, where they were married in 1965. Upon their return to Utah, they were sealed in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June of 1966.
Together, he and Shar became the parents of six beautiful children, three boys and three girls. Dennis and his family were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Dennis served in many different callings throughout his life, including as a high counselor. He loved Heavenly Father and joyfully lived the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Dennis worked in various jobs, often contributing to the construction of power plants, but he spent many years working at Geneva Steel. He was often assigned specific welding jobs, as his skill was superb, and everyone around him knew he was the best. He had taken after his father! At Geneva, he was known as one of the “religious” men. He often spent lunches and breaks sharing gospel discussions with coworkers. He was admired by his fellow workers for his good and honest example as well as his work ethic.
Although Dennis was a very hard worker, he was also a family man and greatly enjoyed spending family time together. He made time to teach his sons the skills he had learned from his own father, such as repairing their cars and trucks, property construction and maintenance, plumbing, welding, fishing, and hunting. He adored his girls and proudly watched them in their performances and activities. He enthusiastically welcomed each grandchild who eventually joined the family, and has gloried in their educational accomplishments, their missionary service, their marriages, and the great-grandchildren they have brought him. He was a patient and loving father and grandfather.
About twenty years ago, Dennis was seriously injured in an industrial accident at Geneva Steel. He spent many long months in recovery and knew it was a miracle that he survived. During that same time, his sweetheart, Sharlene, was facing her own battle with terminal cancer. She bravely assisted him to the extent she was able but sadly passed away in March 2007.
Despite numerous broken bones and internal injuries, Dennis was determined to move forward with life, facing each day with grit and determination, working as much as he could, and living by faith. By good fortune or the hand of God, he met Jane Phillips Kent, and they were married in 2009. Dennis and Jane were later sealed in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, and they have relished the last 16 years together. During these years, Dennis has enjoyed traveling with Jane, spending time with family, working side by side in their yard, reading, and his cars.
We express our gratitude to Jane for her loving devotion and attentive care, selflessly provided to Dennis over the course of the last few years but especially during his final weeks, as she has held faithfully to his side.
Dennis’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, and he will forever be remembered and cherished in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jane, and four of his six children: Brett James Martin, Ohio; John Dennis (Karen) Martin, Elk Ridge; Linzee (Eric) Johnson; Derek Martin, Payson; 16 grandchildren; and his sisters, Marlene (Jerry) McQuivey, Washington, Utah; and Laura (Dwayne) Hinton, Orem; as well as three step- children, Eric Kent, Staci (Rust) Barnes, Sean (Dani) Kent; and 9 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first spouse, Sharlene; two daughters, Ashlee Martin Christensen and Danielle Martin; his parents; two sisters and two brothers, Robert Martin, Connie Rose, Ronald Martin, and Janis Martin.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday day, June 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 240 South Center in American Fork, Utah.
A visitation will be held Friday, June 20, 2025 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home located at 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 240 South Center in American Fork. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 240 South Center in American Fork, Utah. Following the service, Dennis will be laid to rest in the Payson City Cemetery.