St. George, Utah –– George Wilbur Martin passed away June 8, 2011. He was born August 24, 1930, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma A&M. He was discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1952. In 1953, he married Mary Ellen Brokaw in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Their son, Michael Blake Martin was born in 1956.
George worked as a CIA analyst, wildlife photographer, real estate specialist, in advertising, and as a freelance writer from 1952 to 1959. He worked for Petersen Publishing as editor for Guns and Ammo Magazine and as publisher for several hunting magazines in Los Angeles until 1977. He was Executive Director of Publications for the National Rifle Association, Washington, D.C. He retired to St. George in September 1995.
His life-long passion for hunting was shared by his wife, Mary, who partnered with him on 10 of 12 African Safaris. He hunted in 32 states and 15 countries. When not hunting, he was an avid competitive shotgun and rifle shooter, fly tier and fisherman to the extreme, decoy collector and a fanatic bibliophile. In earlier days, he campaigned sports car road courses in the East.
George was author of more than one hundred feature articles, editorial evaluations and hard back introductions and forwards. He was a member of or associated with: White house Commission on Firearms Legislation, Honorary Lt. Gov. of Oklahoma, Alaskan Professional Hunters Association, Hunting Hall of Fame Foundation, Handgunner Award Association, Game Conservation International (COIN), Outdoor Writers Association, National Sporting Goods Association, Wildfowler Association of Scotland, One Shot Antelope Club, Texas Trophy Hunters Association, International Professional Hunters Association, National Association of Accuracy Casting Clubs, National Rifle Association (NRA), National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA), and California Wildlife Federation.
Per George’s wishes, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s memory to The NRA Foundation Hunting & Wildlife Conservation Endowment, (877) NRA-Give or at www.nrafoundation.org/giving or The Utah Council of the Blind, 1301 West 500 South, Woods Cross, Utah 84087.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.
