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Ian Martin, 48

Ian Martin was born in Portland, Ore. on Nov. 27, 1969. His parents moved to Spokane, Wash. in 1974, and settled in the Shadle area in North Spokane. He attended Browne Elementary, Glover Middle School, and graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1988. He met Sheri Campbell when he was 21; they married in August of 1997. They recently celebrated their 20-year anniversary. They have two children, Paige, 17, and Cole, 13, whom he treasured and was so proud of.

As a young child Ian was independent and a risk taker. He could swim across the pool and dive off high dives at age three. He loved his Big Wheels and riding his bike to school, even in kindergarten, which was against school rules. He was persistent. His mom would say that he “could sell you his dirty socks” as a child and convince you that you got a good deal. He was a builder. There were forts in every corner of the yard. He built a go-kart all on his own. He was creative and wanted to be an architect when he grew up. He was athletic. He loved playing soccer and going to Oakland A’s games with his grandpa Vail. He also loved family trips to Yosemite and Jasper, Canada.

Ian’s family knew him as a wonderful and devoted husband and father. He was a source of abundant love, guidance and adventure for his family. Ian would always light up when he talked of his family. His Facebook page mirrors this — a happy man who prioritized quality time with his loved ones. His actions would read like an affirmation calendar, “treat others as you want to be treated,” “just do it,” “be the change you want to see in the world” and “it is what it is.” We should all be like Ian Martin. The family’s time together included skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, bike riding, wakesurfing, beach days, coaching Cole’s soccer games, watching Paige’s music recitals, travel, extended family dinners and BBQs and more. Ian invested himself 100 percent in these family times.

Ian was known by many as a respected and successful businessman. He was gregarious, and others soon perceived his intelligence and fine sense of humor. After being in the commercial flooring industry for over 20 years, Ian was presented with an opportunity to work with Wholesale Floors in Phoenix, Ariz., which developed into the opening of the Pacific Northwest branch four years ago in Spokane. Throughout his career Ian was very active in Starnet Commercial Flooring Cooperative and had the opportunity to serve on various committees and boards to help develop better business practices.

He often spent time doing fundraisers for the Boys and Girls Club, so children who were underprivileged had opportunities. Some of his fundraising activities he organized included the Great Bike Ride from Coeur d’Alene to Jasper, Alberta, Canada in three days. In another, he and nine of his friends rode for 24 hours and over 600 miles, setting a Guinness Book of World Record. That was Ian Martin!

Ian passed away unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism in the early hours of April 7, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Sheri Martin; his daughter, Paige and his son, Cole; his parents, Mary and John Martin; Charles Collins; his brother, Brian Martin and wife, Melanie Feeney; brother, Collin; sister, Sophia; and various aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers please send a contribution to the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County

A celebration of Ian’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018, at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. To see Ian’s online memorial please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com