With deepest sorrow, we announce that Israel Joe Martin, age 92 passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday 13Oct2021 surrounded by his loved ones.

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Joe was born on 26Jun1929, in Salt Lake City, and is preceded in death by his parents Jose Ramon (father) and Maria Sarah Gallegos Martin (mother).  He is also preceded in death by four brothers, a sister & Tony Joe Martin (son).

Joe was a Korean War Hero and received the purple heart, United Nations Service Medal, and two bronze stars for bravery, sacrifice, and honor as a front-line Army combat infantry machine gunner.  Joe was hit by a mortar round under enemy fire on Heart Break Ridge a few miles north of the 38th Parallel and managed to get to a medic where he received medical aid enabling him to come off the front lines. Joe was only one of three soldiers to come off Heart Break Ridge alive that day of twenty seven men and he carried the embedded shrapnel in his back and neck his entire life.

Joe married Alice Jaramillo in Las Vegas on 26Jun1957 on his 28th birthday and lived in Kearns all of their married life.  Joe is survived by June Martin LeMaster (Craig), Jackie Martin, Tom Martin (Stacy), several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and enjoyed working, swimming meets, traveling, hunting, fishing, and many family activities.

Joe retired from the Utah Copper Division of Kennecott Copper in 1986 with 34 years of service at the Bingham Mine plus an additional four years of service before being drafted into the army.  Joe continued to work until retiring at age 74 with another retirement from Operating Engineers with Geneva Rock Products.  Joe exemplified hard work and led by example throughout his whole life setting a great example for those who knew him.

Funeral Services will be held on 18Oct2021 at Memorial Redwood Mortuary at 6500 S Redwood Rd, Taylorsville, UT 84123 at 2pm with a viewing from 12pm to 2pm.