Allen “Red” Martin, born in 1932 along the Palouse River, passed away peacefully in his bed on September 7, 2026, after living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Red spent much of his life among the rolling hills and small communities of the Palouse. Raised in LaCrosse, Red would later make his home in Colfax and eventually Spokane, but LaCrosse and the people there were always an important part of his life.

Red’s early years weren’t always easy, and he spent part of his childhood being raised by a foster family. But he certainly made the most of it. Many of the stories he told about those years left you wondering how he survived—or stayed out of jail.

At just 17 years old, with his dad’s permission, Red enlisted in the United States Air Force. While stationed in Louisiana, he earned his high school diploma. After four years in the Air Force, he returned home to LaCrosse.

And there was Darlene. Red first approached Darlene’s sister, Patty, to find out if Darlene might be interested in dating him. She was, and Red waited for Darlene to graduate before the two were married in 1956. Their marriage would span nearly 70 years and bring five children, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Red was never afraid of hard work—or an unusual job. Over the years, he worked on farms, drove school bus and never hesitated to do whatever work needed to be done, even digging graves.

He went to work for Cleon “CO” Camp and later BEK, where Gene Engstrom introduced him to bowling as part of the BEK bowling team. Gene also introduced Red to a taste for scotch—another discovery that apparently stuck.

When Red’s cousin Chester Martin passed away, Red took over his position with Union Oil as an oil distributor. He eventually purchased the business, which became Martin Oil, and operated it for many years. Red retired in 2000 and sold the business to his son Larry.

Retirement, however, didn’t make Red particularly good at sitting still.

He was a talented handyman who always seemed to have a remodeling project underway. He worked on projects for himself, family and friends, often volunteering his time simply because somebody needed a hand. Later, he spent many hours in his woodshop, where he especially enjoyed building his beloved wooden American flags.

Red believed in being part of his community. Over the years, he served LaCrosse as Fire Chief and Mayor, was a member of the LaCrosse Fire Department, and belonged to the Lions Club.

Baseball was another big part of his life. Red coached Peewee, Little League and American Legion baseball and later umpired high school games. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.

And then there was bowling. What started with the BEK bowling team became a lifelong passion. Red competed in 25 Men’s National Tournaments over the years. In 2013, at 81 years old, he bowled the game every bowler dreams about—a perfect 300.

Red also loved being Santa Claus. Over the years, he put on the red suit for the Order of the Eastern Star, the Town of LaCrosse and, later, at his retirement home. He didn’t just agree to play Santa—he genuinely loved it. Bringing a little fun and laughter to people came naturally to him.

Red loved sharing stories with anyone willing to listen, and he never knew a stranger. He had a way with words, and a little hyperbole could always make a good story even better.

His family will remember those stories, but they’ll also remember the little things: the silly songs he sang to his grandkids, his constant whistling, and the seemingly endless supply of Jelly Bellys, black licorice and popsicles.

Red’s life was filled with work, family, service and plenty of fun along the way. He was a veteran, businessman, mayor, firefighter, coach, umpire, craftsman, bowler, hunter, fisherman and Santa Claus. More importantly, he was a husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa who was always willing to lend his hands, his time or a good story.

Red is survived by his beloved wife, Darlene; their five children, Allen (Carolyn), Larry (Sandy), Patrick (Paula), Robert (Betty) and Jane (Jimmy); seven grandchildren, Tyler, Rachel (Mitchell), Amanda (Robert), Madeline, Elizabeth (Pat), Stephen (Berenice) and Taylor; two step-grandchildren, Lisa (Ian) and David; ten great-grandchildren, Sadie, Morgan, Mikayla, Rasida, Wyatt, Brynn, Ella, Millie, Odin and Easton; and his brothers, James and David.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Alfred and Wesley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LaCrosse Fire Department, Horizon Hospice or your local veterans association - all organizations that meant so much to Red.

As Red always said:

“I lived a good life, and I wouldn’t change a thing!”

A Celebration of Red’s life will be held on Saturday, September 12th, beginning at 2:00 pm at the Hill-Ray Plaza in Colfax. Corbeill Funeral Home, Colfax, is in charge of the arrangements. www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com