Joel Franklin Martineau passed from this life on November 19, 2014 at his home in Castle Valley, Utah. He was 87 years old.
Frank was born in Colonia Pacheco, Sonora, Mexico, on June 22, 1927. He was the third child and second son of Stanley Theodore and Bessie Hawkins Martineau.
Frank’s family moved around quite a bit, living in Mexico, Utah and Colorado. When he was in High School, his family lived in Fruita, Colorado, where he played on the Fruita Union High basketball team. In 1946, he left to go into the Navy. He was on the first American ship to dock in Shanghai and other Chinese ports following World War II.
After being discharged from the Navy, he went on a mission for the LDS Church to Mexico, where he served for two and a half years. He loved the people of Mexico and always spoke fondly of his mission. While on his mission, he was kidnapped and beaten for 3 days, but when telling this story to his family, he just called it an “unusual day!” He then attended BYU, where he met Gwendolyn Judd. They were married in the summer of 1952. Their children are Anthony, Trudine, Alan, Jed, Joelene and Jerry. Frank was a caring and kind dad, and taught his children by example the value of work.
Frank was good at doing most anything. His main occupation was house construction; he excelled in every aspect of home building. Frank was especially good at cabinet making and finish work. He also had a great desire to teach youth the wonders of the world so, while building houses, he attended Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia and earned his teaching degree. He taught for a few years at Grand County High, where he realized teenagers were not as interested in biology as he had hoped they would be, and that school administrators are sometimes difficult. He went back to construction and was also the janitor and grounds keeper for the LDS Church and the Potash plant. In 1968, he underwent back surgery, and in 1970, Gwen was in a car accident and lost the use of her legs. He took care of her for 37 years and helped her do as many things as possible. He built her ramps and lifts and tried to never let her injury get in the way of their family life.
Frank held many positions in the LDS Church, including: Chorister, Missionary, Branch President, Sunday School Teacher and Counselor in many presidencies.
Frank really enjoyed growing a garden and liked to try different kinds of seeds. He grew lots and lots of berries! He liked to share the fruits of his gardens as much as he liked to grow them.
Singing was a favorite pastime for Frank. He had a great voice and enjoyed sharing it. He would also sing silly songs while working and while riding in the car with his family. He especially loved to sing hymns.
Frank was a great man and he will be missed by all who love him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen, who passed away in March 2006. He is survived by his children Tony and Cathy Martineau, Trudine and Jeff Whitney, Alan and Linda Martineau, Jed and Brenda Martineau, Joelene and Earl Roland, and Jerry and Brenda Martineau; 33 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 29 at the Castle Valley LDS Church in Castle Valley, Utah. A viewing will be held from 11:30-12:30 on the same day, at the same location.
You may send condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
