Dr. Niels Le Martin

Dr. Niels LeRoy (Roy) Martin, age 77, passed away peacefully at Wheat Ridge, Colorado on Thursday 21 May, 2020 at 11:45 pm. His dear wife Janice was at his side.

Born February 6, 1943 in Eugene, Oregon to Jim and Oda Martin, Roy was the third of seven boys who were later joined by a sister. Blessed with a father who was a logger and trapper, and a mother who was quite handy with a rifle or hunting knife, he grew up in the woods and learned in his youth to trap, hunt, fish and fell trees - mostly on the Oregon Coast. As a young adult, Roy served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints amongst the Indians of Oklahoma and then returned to Port Orford, Oregon where he met and married his sweetheart, Janice Bushnell. Together they worked toward his earning both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Range Management while simultaneously starting a family.

During his professional career, Roy worked in many locations in the Western United States and around the world, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Later in his career, he became Dr. Martin when he received his Ph.D. in Forestry, Wildlife and Range Management from the University of Idaho. Throughout his career, he led various development programs for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - culminating in a five-year assignment in Pakistan. From Pakistan, Roy returned to his beloved Oregon with his wife Janice, then eventually settled in Colorado to be near children and grandchildren.

Roy was a stalwart member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding many positions of responsibility both at home and abroad, including serving as the senior church authority in three different countries. Later in life, Roy and his wife, Janice, served a mission for their church in Nova Scotia, Canada during which time he was severely injured from a fall. Through his determination and perseverance, he overcame great odds and recovered sufficiently to focus on family, church service and family history.

Roy is survived by his wife, Janice Martin of Arvada, Colorado, Children Niels R. (Julie) Martin-Lantana, Texas; Eric S. (LeAnn) Martin-Aurora, Colorado; Leah S. Martin-Arvada, Colorado; Karen R. (Conrad) Acosta of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands and siblings Alvin, Kenneth, Thomas and Dawn. He is also survived by four grandsons (Zachary, Niels Tanner, Spencer, Ethan), seven granddaughters (Madison (Mark), Katherine (Barrett), Elise (McLean), Annie, Lauren, Avery, Eva) and one great-granddaughter (Bonnie). Roy was preceded in death by his parents James Kenneth and Oda Petersen Martin and brothers Peter, Daniel and William. His family shares Roy's firm conviction that Families are Forever and are so excited that he has been reunited with them.

Services will be held Friday 29 May, 2020 at 10 a.m. at A Brighter Community located at 9701 W 50th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 with a viewing taking place prior to the service at 9:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are welcome to remain for fellowshipping and light snacks after the funeral.

Burial will be at Webber Cemetery in Mancos Colorado at 11 a.m. on Saturday 30 May, 2020.

Those wishing to send cards or flowers may send them to Mrs. Janice Martin, 7136 Holland Ct., Arvada CO 80004 by Thursday 28 May, 2020.

Please share memories of Roy and condolences with his family by signing the online guestbook below.

Visitation/Service: May 29, 2020 9:30 am

A Brighter Community
9701 W 50th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Funeral Service: May 29, 2020 10:00 am

A Brighter Community
9701 W 50th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Burial Ceremony: May 30, 2020 11:00 am

Webber Cemetery

Mancos, Colorado