Evens Paul Martin

Evens Paul “Red” Martin, passed away on the 9th of March 2022, in Kaysville, UT. He will be remembered forever as a hard-working, hard-playing, sweet, fun, silly, kind and loving son, brother and an especially loving father.

He was born the fourth of six boys to Brent and Lynette Martin on the 11th of August 1982, in Idaho Falls, ID. From the very beginning Evens was different in many adorable and fun ways. In a family full of brown eyes and dirty blond or brown hair he came along with red hair, blue eyes, freckles and a consistent smile on his face. Though his red hair was replaced by platinum blond, it returned later in life in his beard, always surrounding that grin.

Evens grew up in Shelley, ID where he attended Goodsell Elementary, Hazel Stuart Elementary, Shelley Middle School, Shelley Jr. High and graduated from Shelley High School in June of 2000 with some of his life-long and very best friends.

Evens consistently looked up to his parents, who constantly taught that hard work, honesty and treating others right would keep a man on the right path and leave goodness passed to others along the way. He admired many things about his older brothers, whether it was love of the outdoors, spiritual strengths, what sports teams to root for, the example of hard work, loyalty to loved ones, and many other qualities. His younger brothers looked up to him, literally, and were highly influenced by his own hard work ethic, fun-loving character and mischievous ways of enjoying life. What possibly no one mastered better than he did though, was the power of laughter and showing kindness to anyone in need. The reality of growing up in the family of six boys included matchless fun, adventures while the sun and large yard gave room to play pirates, baseball, basketball, football, tag, jump on the trampoline, hunt grasshoppers, cut a few knees, gash a few elbows, put numerous guardian angels into early retirement- and fry a few of their mom’s nerves. He and his brothers were infinitely blessed to never live more than an hour away from all their grandparents, trips to Swan Valley to visit the Martin farm and the Backus “forest” were a joy each time. Visiting his grandparents was one of his favorite ways to spend his time, and it was always time well spent.

Evens was equally fun as he grew up, the life of the party, was always up to “crazy, clean fun” with a “gang of good-hearted friends,” -he became the best thrower of bachelor parties- forever bringing smiles and laughter to so many. His mother relates that despite his tom-foolery, “he was by far my hardest child to discipline, I just couldn't speak to that goofy grin with any authority, he would just make me laugh.” She was not alone- with his innocent charm he could make anyone chuckle. All through High School he worked at Schlotzky’s Deli, where he would be a manager for multiple years and bring an orderly, yet entertaining day of work for all in the restaurant. He loved giving girls flowers, eating at Jack-in-the-Box with buddies, and ‘bringing light to Wolverine Canyon.’ His favorite holiday was Halloween, which is probably why he and a buddy were dressed up as "The Llevar de Sombrero Vaqueros" and out trick or treating at age 19...

Evens was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and though he served in a variety of ways, his favorite was to help in the Nursery, he loved little kids and “the snacks, …duh.” After high school he was ordained an Elder in 2001, he served as an honorable missionary when called to the Independence, Missouri Mission. He served from December of 2001-2003 and made lifelong friends in what became a second home. His family has wondered aloud if he did anything besides take hundreds of photos as a missionary, but that query is cleared up by seeing so many, many people smiling, happy and cared about by “Elder Martin.” He loved his mission because he was constantly serving, helping, and loving friends who were waiting to be his, but hadn’t met him yet on Earth. When visiting his mission later with family, his father remarked that “It’s so clear - everyone loved Evens, he made all their lives better.”

Evens attended Utah State University after his mission, he married, and was overjoyed to become a “girl-dad” of two daughters. No work in his life was more important to him than taking care of and loving his daughters. In Logan, UT he worked for Lowe’s, moving up from stocking shelves to the Assistant of HR because of traits that were constantly present: a fantastic work ethic and being a good influence on others. He was the HR Director at Lowe’s in Salt Lake City and Bountiful, Utah. He most recently worked as an HR Director for Domino’s Pizza out of Salt Lake City, a company that he thoroughly enjoyed working for, made tremendous friends and made significant contributions to both inside and outside of work hours. He raised his family primarily in Kaysville and Fruit Heights, UT – the list of friends and neighbors that he showed care to, served regularly, stepped up to help, lifted to greater heights, and showed great love to is very long. That list grows daily as our family has been reached out to by many- many more than we knew of before, who were blessed by the influence of Evens on a regular basis.

His favorite things to do for himself included attending concerts, collecting watches, Vans shoes, Dallas Cowboys memorabilia, watching football, hunting with his dad and brother, drinking a beer on Friday night, going fishing with anyone, eating and drinking with family or friends, making us all laugh, always being ready to ‘stand by you’ and a curious need to vacuum any floor he was around. Realistically, whether work or play, his favorite activities were anything that brought joy to everyone. Above all, the smiles he cared about most were on the lips of his daughters. The happiness on his face from the final times spent with his daughter Anna Sophia will be forever etched in the minds of all who know him.

Evens was preceded in graduating from mortality by his Uncle Clint “Tex” Martin, his Aunt Marian (Plummer) Martin, his cousin Matthew "Bo" Martin, his Grandparents, W. Alex and Faye (Madsen) Martin & Edward Evens “Red” and Trudi (Davis) Backus, as well as Paul and Dolores (Provost) Dorey.

Evens is survived, admired, and remembered by his two daughters, his parents Brent and Lynette, his five brothers, Joey (Katy), Jeremiah (Gwen), Lucas (Carenna), Tanner (Rosario), and Gabriel (Clarissa), by his 17 nieces/nephews, 11 aunts and uncles, countless cousins, and innumerable friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 18, 2022 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak Street, in Shelley. The family will receive friends Friday morning 9:30 a.m. till 10:40 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.

Donations in Evans name may be made to the American Kidney Fund at:
https://www.kidneyfund.org/about-us/financials-and-accountability/putting-your-donations-work?source=google&medium=cpc&campaign=brand&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz7uRBhDRARIsAFqjulkwvZTX-vaema46WCOo94zdUf-jk2fDNphSjQt-8ovbMkuhN8nWWwkaAmWJEALw_wcB















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