Martin “Marty” Chaney Galvin passed away the morning of May 24, 2021 at St. Lukes Hospital at the age of 88. He was born June 11, 1932 to Clairmont, Houston (C.H.) and Alta (Chaney) Galvin in Boise Idaho. He attended schools in Pocatello, Emmett and Middleton, Idaho, graduating in the class of 1950. He attended one semester at the University of Idaho till he decided he wanted to come home and farm.
In his years growing up Marty lived with his family while his father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. When they moved back to the valley from Emmett he would ride his horse every summer to the farm in Middleton to help his Grandma (Amelia Chaney) and his uncle (Sam Chaney) on the family farm.
Martin played basketball and football and graduated from Middleton in 1950. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Naval Reserves and served 3 years moving to active duty and spending the next 2 years aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Oriskany as a machinist mate during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy June 10, 1955.
In the summer after graduating Marty met Patricia (Pat) Carpenter, they married on August 23, 1953. They had 3 daughters, Cindee (Randy) Powell, Gloree (David) Brown and Sandee (Robert) Alexander who all still live nearby.
Martin was involved in many things over the years. The Elks for 66 years, Boise River and Idaho Cattlemens. He was on the Newman and Mill Ditch Boards for over 60 years. He was on the Water District 63 since 1983 where he helped many legislators and land owners understand how their water was distributed from the Boise River.
Canyon County and Idaho State Republican for 60 years. Martin helped put up signs for candidates throughout the state and was named republican of the year.
Marty was one of the first members to setup the Middleton Kiwanis Club later changed to Middleton Community Club.
He was one of the first group of racers at Wilkins Speedway as well as Meridian Speedway Marty farmed for over 70 years. Always spraying weeds, trapping gophers irrigating with his wife and 3 daughters and working cattle. Martin would come in late from the fields, eat dinner at midnight, then back out early the next morning. He wanted a clean weed free farm and would send his daughters out to hoe weeds, cut puncture vines and thistle. We lost count on how may times Dad had to pull someone out of the ditch after running through one of the fences. Which always seemed to happen in the dead of winter or during dinner time.
He enjoyed traveling when he had the opportunity. He would talk to anyone, anywhere with ease.
He was adamant about protecting farmers land and water rights from those that tried to take advantage of the farmers or encroach on them!
Some of the things his family remember him always saying “Need to do things right the first time; If you don’t have the money, don’t buy it; don’t throw it away, we may use it later.”
Our dad was the hardest working man we ever knew even at the age of 88.
Marty is survived by his wife Pat of 68 years in August; daughters Cindee, Gloree and Sandee. Grandchildren Ambrozzia, Allison, Sam, Rob, Jack and Katie. Great grandchildren, Makia, Zoe and Wilmot.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Maxine Behrman of Seattle.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Caldwell Elks Lodge 1448.
Please share memories you may have of Marty at Dakanfuneralchapel.com
Graveside services will be held at the Middleton Cemetery on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.
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