Morris Jenkins Martell

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August 10, 1932 to December 23, 2024

Burley – Morris Jenkins Martell, a resident of Burley, Idaho, passed away in his home at the age of 92 on
December 23, 2024.

Morris was born in Burley, Idaho on August 10, 1932 to Mark and Ada Martell.  He married Maxine Martindale and together they had two sons and one daughter.  Mark Martell, Marilyn Fox and Mike Martell.  They later divorced.  He then met the love of his life, Donna Ann Gibson, from Burley.  They were married on August 25, 1959.  As a result of this marriage, he inherited 3 daughters, Christie Melton, Patricia Simpson and Monnie Telleria.  They moved to Las Vegas, NV and lived there for 14 years.  Together, they had a son, Myles Martell.  The family moved back to Burley in 1976 and have lived there ever since.  Morris and Donna were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on July 22, 1983, for time and all eternity.  They spent many happy years in retirement in Yuma, Az.

Morris loved sports and the outdoors.  In high school, he lettered in four different sports - football, basketball, baseball, and track.  He played football while attending college at Albion State Normal School.  In football he played tackle on both sides of the line, and was also the punter with the nickname of “Coffin Corner Martell.” While newly married, his church team from Burley played in the finals of the All-Church Tournament in Salt Lake City.  He was a baseball referee for many years.  He loved hunting and fishing, spending many years fishing the Big Wood River.

Growing up on a farm, he learned how to work hard.  He learned a trade as a brick layer and foreman while in Las Vegas.  While in Idaho, he worked at Amalgamated Sugar.  He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 7th Ward.  He loved the temple and now he will be able to attend the Burley Temple dedication from the other side.

Survivors include siblings; Darwin Martell and Karen Blake; children, Mark Martell (Linda), Marilyn Fox (Richard), Mike Martell (Beth), Myles Martell (Nancy); stepchildren, Christie Melton (Tom), Patty Simpson, Monnie Telleria; 27 grandchildren; and 58 great-grandchildren.
 

He was preceded in death by his wife Donna Martell; parents Mark and Ada Martell; siblings Mark, Clive, Richard and Eve Martell, Blanche Porter, Enid Emery and Carol Robins; sons-in-law, Brad Palmer and Mike Telleria; and grandchildren, Matt Moyes, Hayley Coussins, and Clayton Garro.
 

The family would like to thank his wonderful neighbors who looked out for him, Mickey and Marty Hatt and Hector and Sylvia Contreras and family.  We are also grateful for Shirley Carpenter, a nurse with Inhabit Hospice.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 4, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Burley 7th Ward, located at 2200 Oakley Ave, in Burley, Idaho. Friends and family will be received from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the funeral.  Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley. 

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