Roscoe Martin

As people remember us, we can only hope that the impression we leave on their lives is as positive and meaningful as the one Roscoe "R.J." Martin left on the lives of those who knew him. He was friendly and outgoing, generous and kind, and blessed with an infectious sense of humor. Loyal and dedicated to his family and community, he didn't take what he had been blessed with for granted and showed this by doing things for others. He never hesitated to visit a sick friend, drive someone to the doctors, or simply lend a helping hand. R.J. tried to see the best in the people around him and, for that, people saw that the very best was in R.J.

When the name Bangor is mentioned many people think of Bangor, Maine or Bangor, Ireland, but for some, the small town of Bangor, Michigan comes to mind. And although it cannot claim to be the most well known or even the first, it is most definitely special in its own right. It is in the town of Bangor, Michigan that our story begins on January 27, 1923, when Roscoe Martin was born. As his father's namesake, there is no denying the pride that swelled in the hearts of his parents on that day as Roscoe, Sr. and Sylvia (Benedict) Martin welcomed their first child and only son.

Like his father before him, Roscoe also went by the nickname R.J. Along with younger sister Joyce, Roscoe was born and raised in the Village of Bangor, which wasn't even large enough to be considered a city until the 1960s. R.J. attended the local high school, Bangor High, where he was well known by his female classmates for being quite handsome. R.J learned to drive at the age of 14 and had an affinity for owning nice cars, particularly convertibles, which may have added to his dreamboat image.

In 1942, R.J. earned his diploma from Bangor High School. Around that same time, he met and began dating a young girl named Dorcas Paddock, who was spending the summer in Bangor with her parents. Many hearts were broken when the local girls learned that R.J. had fallen in love and was no longer on the market.

Before he and Dorcas had a chance to make their commitment official, R.J. heeded the call of Uncle Sam and enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. A proud member of the 273rd Infantry, 69th Division, it wasn't long before R.J. and the rest of his unit were shipped across the pond and right into the heart of the battle. In January of 1944, R.J. spent his 21st birthday in France headed for the front lines.

In 1946, R.J. returned home to Michigan and to his true love, Dorcas. Ready to begin their lives together, the couple finally said "I do" on July 3, 1946. After their wedding, the newlyweds settled in R.J.'s hometown of Bangor and he began a career as a plant inspector for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Although his job kept him on the road, he enjoyed meeting new people on the farms and in the shops he visited. At home, Dorcas also had her share of joy and new experiences raising the couple's two sons, Robert and William.

In the summer, the family liked to take day trips to Lake Michigan with other families, yet they always appreciated returning home to small town life in Bangor. It was the place where R.J. was born and raised and the place where he and Dorcas began raising a family of their own. In 1965, however, small town life became a thing of the past when the family moved about 30 miles east to the bigger city of Portage. Living in Portage, R.J. continued to work for the Michigan Department of Agriculture, until he retired from the agency with 40 years of service under his belt.

R.J. was an outgoing guy and found plenty of ways to enjoy his leisure time: league bowling, fishing trips to Canada, and going to races in Indianapolis, with golf taking over in later years. And of course, he never lost his love of cars. He loved driving new cars and was always interested in the latest and greatest technology. In the summer he took advantage of the warm weather, spending many of his days working outside in the yard. Every year he had the greenest lawn in the neighborhood, so it may have come as no surprise to friends and family when he began playing golf after retirement. R.J. was also a member of the American Legion in Bangor, a coffee group at Mackenzie Bakery, the Bangor Congregational Church and the Portage United Church of Christ.

Over the years R.J. had many things that brought him happiness, but none more important than his family. After they left home and moved away, he and Dorcas would travel to visit their children and grandchildren. He adored his grandchildren and loved having them over for sleepovers. He did everything he could to make the event special, taking them out shopping and cooking breakfast in the morning. Whether it was his family, a friend, or neighbor, R.J. always went the extra mile to let each person in his life know how much he cared. His generous heart and devotion to his family earned him the love and admiration of everyone around him and, in passing, the fond and cherished memories of all who knew him.

Roscoe J. Martin, Jr., age 84, died at Bronson Methodist Hospital on May 2, 2007. Learn more about R.J. and visit with his family on Saturday at 3 PM at his memorial service at the Portage United Church of Christ, 2731 W. Milham Avenue. R.J. is survived by his wife, Dorcas; his sons and their wives: Robert Martin & Virginia Danfelt of Minnesota and William & Carol Martin of Washington; his grandchildren: Hope, Elizabeth, Jessica, Gwendolyn, and Gavin; his great-grandchildren: Hannah, Brock, Zoe, and Harper; and his sister Joyce & Ray Dault of Indiana. Please visit R.J.'s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo, and sign his register book. Memorial donations may be made to the Portage United Church of Christ or the Humane Society. Roscoe and his family have been cared for by the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Life Story Funeral Home, Portage, 5975 Lovers Lane.