Martin Lowell Dommer - Walker Funeral Home

Payson, UT – Martin Lowell Dommer, 69, a geologist and marriage and family therapist in Payson, UT passed away on March 1, 2022 at his home in Payson after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was born Nov. 11, 1952 in Tiffin, Ohio to Walter Lowell and Marilyn June (Osborne) Dommer, who preceded him in death. On June 24, 1978, he married Lisa Darlene Benton in the Provo Utah Temple. She preceded him in death on April 1, 2002.

Surviving are four sons: Paul Benton Dommer (Briana) of Queen Creek, AZ, Rex Benjamin Dommer of Colorado Springs, CO, Michael Joseph (Richae) of Oahu, HI, Matthew (Meagan) of South Jordan; nine grandchildren; a brother, Walter David (Diana) Dommer of Grand Rapids, OH; and eight sisters, Cynthia Moorhead of Findlay, OH, Sally (Wayne) Hardy of Taylor, AZ, Mary Parkins of Findlay, OH, Judith (Todd) Gibson of Las Vegas, NV, Nancy (Dan) Maynes of Payson, UT, Amy (Sterling) Johnson of Fitchburg, WI, Norma (Thomas) Gomm of Sandy, UT, and Anne (Joel) Harris of Payson, UT.

Martin had several careers in his lifetime. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree. He worked in the oil business for several years, including for Marathon Oil Company, Gulf Oil, and others. In the mid-1980s he moved his family to Parker and then Littleton, both in Colorado, where he established a successful home inspection business that continued until he moved to Utah in 2004.

In Utah, he worked at various jobs until he decided to go back to school for a second Master’s degree, this one in marriage and family therapy. He graduated with top grades from Argosy University in Salt Lake City and began the career that would mean the most to him and in which he worked for the rest of his life. He had always had a gift for the hard sciences, winning first place in science in a statewide academic competition in Ohio when he was in the ninth grade. But his career in the soft science of family therapy meant the most to him. Working with the guidance of the Lord, he lovingly blessed and helped to heal many wounded souls.

Martin also loved genealogy. He studied German in high school, which not only helped him on his mission in Brazil, part of which he served in the German-speaking city of Blumenau, but also helped as he later sought out his German ancestors and had the temple work performed for them. He found thousands of names, and he continued to do this research until near the end of his life.

He loved to work with his hands. He began painting houses while in high school, and he put himself through college by painting houses and apartments. He built a vacation cabin for his family in Leadville, CO., and he later built a large cabin on property he owned in Colorado’s high mesa, often driving there while he was being treated for his terminal illness. He also did nearly all his home and vehicle repairs.

He was a gifted musician, playing bass guitar, string bass (for which he was given a music scholarship to play in the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra), baritone and piano. He learned from his father how to repair musical instruments. He performed gigs with friends in a musical group during their years at Findlay (OH) High School, from which he graduated in 1971. He also wrote poetry and shared it with his family and friends.

Martin loved to garden and had huge vegetable gardens at his homes in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Utah.

He knew the scriptures so well that he could usually give you the reference if you gave him a few words of a verse. He had a remarkable memory and knew where each mile marker was located on the route to his cabin in Colorado.

Martin served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life, wherever he was called. He volunteered as an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple for two years. He considered his therapy work a mission and used to say he had called himself on another mission in his 50s. He loved the Lord deeply, and he loved to serve Him by serving others. His sons and grandchildren brought him joy, and he was very proud of them. He will be loved and missed by all his family members until we are all reunited in heaven.

Martin’s request was that his body be cremated, and the ashes taken to his land in Colorado, where a private memorial service will be held. There will be no calling hours.

Share Now

9 Condolences for Martin Lowell Dommer

Condolences(9)

Cynthia Giles says

March 6, 2022 at 5:09 am

I am one who has been deeply blessed by Marty’s service. I was a current client as were my 6 children. My 11 year son cried “he changed our lives mom”. And he did. I know who I am. He taught me how to do this. How to learn to hear and feel what’s happening inside of myself. I am where I am because of Marty’s gift and ability to facilitate within me internal growth and understanding. I am prepared to move forward without my weekly sessions. I miss him terribly but I got the best of what he had to offer. Thank you, Marty. I am indebted to you. Thank you for furthering your education so that you could offer me so much. What you gave and who you are is priceless. You taught me to defend my worth with dignity.

Elise Nelson says

March 7, 2022 at 12:50 am

Marty’s unique journeys and trials in life made him so relatable. He was the only one I believed could relate and could offer relevant guidance and empathy. I’m so grateful he was the type of therapist who wanted to teach emotional autonomy. I knew I had found the right therapist when he explained that his job is to help me not need a therapist. Marty’s work has touched more people that he will ever know.

Mark O says

March 7, 2022 at 7:59 pm

Marty has helped me tremendously in the short time I have known him
I wish he had been in my life years ago
I will take his beautiful spirit with me into the coming days with hope and optimism.
Coming to understand my inner self has made all the difference in my life
Kia ora e hoa
Kia tutaki ano tatou
Aroha ki a koe
Mo ake tonu atu

REPLY
Gary Moser says
March 8, 2022 at 6:12 am

Marty, you are truly a dear friend. It was a privilege for my sons and I to hometeach you for over 9 years. We will never forget your testimonies and your incredible stories. We will truly miss you.

Marvin and Mary Gardner says

March 8, 2022 at 8:46 am

Marty was a dear friend and a blessing to our family.. We are so thankful to have known him. He seemed like such an ordinary guy on the outside. I guess he was the one who taught us in the deepest way that there are no ordinary people on this earth. He had a heart of gold. Thank you, Marty for sharing a little of your heart with us. We will miss you dearly.

Katy Barnes says

March 23, 2022 at 12:59 am

Marty was a life changer. It’s hard to find the words, but we’re forever grateful for him. He was an excellent therapist and like the grandpa I never had. Love and thoughts to his family.

craig turner says

May 8, 2022 at 1:06 pm

I was Marty’s first roommate at BYU before he left to go on a mission. I remember an independent thinker, talented musician and cantankerous personality. God speed Marty. Craig Turner

Courtney White says

October 5, 2022 at 4:27 pm

Marty was our family’s therapist through some very challenging and difficult trials and events. He was the only one who could get through to my husband, or at least open him up just a bit. No one else could reach him the way Marty could. He was so dedicated and supportive to him and my family and always counseled in love, hope and resolve. He knew how to take devastating experiences of abuse and allow us to feel but also to find the light within. I personally went into the therapy field myself because of his incredibly positive influence. It has been many years since we had been in touch, but I felt suddenly today that I needed to look him up and reach out. My husband had passed away recently and I felt I needed to share that with Marty. I found this obituary and my heart sank to see this news. But I also saw that he and my husband passed very near to the same time and know it was no coincidence I was led to look him up. It brings my heart peace to believe he may have been a loving welcoming soul when my husband crossed over just after him. I will always remember Marty, he changed me, helped me, uplifted me in the most profound way and our children and posterity are ever benefiting from his gifts of guidance. I remember him telling me how he had been so very successful in his business ventures, but that he felt more truly called to the therapy work and helping others to see and know their divine selves. He most definitely was inspired to be such a light to others. God bless.

Picaro Cristiano says

May 16, 2026 at 9:58 pm

Marty will forever be the ideal of a therapist to me. He reached my husband, who rarely opened up or fully believed anyone, in a deep life releasing way. My husband had lived his whole life on the Autism spectrum without knowing it until 10 months before he died. Marty was literally his only true friend. He taught Loren techniques that brought Loren much needed relief from extreme anxiety and personal torment. Marty taught him well enough that he turned around and taught his fellow veterans while he was an inpatient at a VA facility. Marty’s therapy to Loren reached many more than just him. I know it’s been that way on many occasions.
Marty went through the most difficult challenge any married person can in the losing of his wife but he used that to change careers and truly bless so many others in addition to the blessings he received from his efforts as a counselor. Marty passed away 10 months after Loren. I hope they have had many long talks and experiences together since then.

Martin Lowell Dommer October 10, 2026

9 Condolences for Martin Lowell Dommer