Born Oct. 18, 1919 in Morrison Bluff, Arkansas, Martin Theodore Ashour died Aug. 5, 2006 in Oak Harbor.

He attended St. Benedict Elementary and began eighth grade at Subiaco Abbey and Academy in 1933. He attended one year of college at Subiaco Abbey and professed first vows in September 1940, taking the religious name of Denis and left the third year of the seminary to volunteer his service in the military at the onset of World War II.

Martin trained as an aerial gunner and toggilier (Bombadier) and was assigned to a B-17 crew that was piloted by Lt. Bill Dean. The crew was sent to the European theater of operations in Nuthampstead, England, and served in the 398th Bomb Group, 600 Squadron of the 8th Air Force. As part of that combat crew, Martin completed a tour of 35 bombing missions to various targets in occupied Europe.

After the war, Martin coached football at Subiaco Abbey and then at Laneri High in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he met his wife, Dorothy Ann Faram. Martin along with his wife and two children moved to Pomona, Calif., in 1962 to start a new life. Martin had various jobs in California, one as a dog food supplier for kennels all over the Southern California area including Hollywood. Later he then became an industrial storage sales rep for Cunningham Building Specialties which moved his family to San Diego in 1976. After the death of his wife, Dorothy, Martin lived with his daughter, Debbie and moved with her family to Lemoore, Calif., and then to Oak Harbor in 2000.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, John and Catherine Ashour, and his lovely wife Dorothy, his sisters, Dorothy, Gertrude, Kathleen, and Mary Anne.

Martin is survived by his two children, Daniel Martin Ashour of Oceanside, Calif., and Debbie Anderson of Oak Harbor; his grandchildren, Trevor, Mary and Andrew Ashour of Oceanside, Calif., and Brent Phillips and Colton Anderson of Oak Harbor; his sisters, Agnes, Rose and Barbara; his brother Paul; and many any nephews and nieces.

Martin’s wishes were to be cremated and then interred at the National Cemetery in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, along with his wife with a Veteran’s Service. Arrangements are under the direction of Visser Funeral Home, Langley.