Martin Thomas Walsh

05/29/1947 - 01/08/2024

Text:

Obituary For Martin Thomas Walsh

Martin Thomas Walsh was born May 29, 1947 in Bremerton, Washington to parents Joseph and
Irene Margaret Walsh. He passed away January 8, 2024, in Puyallup, Washington, and was
preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim. He is survived by his wife of 55 years,
Maureen Walsh, and children Colleen Walsh, Egypt Josala, and Shannon Walsh; grandchildren
Brittany Scott, Chantel and Ciara Hayes; and great-grandchild Eva Tomlinson.

Marty grew up in Seattle and graduated from O’Dea High School in 1965. He received a
Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, which he attended on a track scholarship.
One of the highlights of his time there was competing in the mile relay at the NCAA track finals.
He received a teaching certificate and second Bachelor’s degree from Western Washington
University in 1971, and began his teaching and coaching career in the Clover Park School
District that fall. He taught history and geography, plus coached track and basketball, first at
Hudtloff Jr. High. In 1982 he transferred to Clover Park High School, where he taught history
and psychology and also coached cross country and track. He was proud of his track teams
which won first at State AAA in 1991, 1992, and 1993. In addition, Marty was athletic director at
Clover Park High from 1995 until his retirement in 2001.

During summers and in his free time, Marty, with the help of friends, built several houses and
two rental properties. Through the years, he participated in several races and marathons,
including the annual Sound to Narrows, and the Lewis and Clark Washington Centennial Trail
Run in 1989, as part of a relay team which ran from Clarkston to Cape Disappointment in 8
days. In retirement he enjoyed various woodworking projects, including building unique bird
houses, planter boxes and other creative items. He also substituted at the Clover Park Alternative School, and coached track at Steilacoom High in 2009-2010. Marty loved to travel, especially to Las Vegas, Mexico and on cruises, and to spend time with family, including inviting them for his BBQ dinners.

Funeral service to be held Saturday, February 24, at 1pm at All Saints Church, 503 3rd St SW,
Puyallup, with a celebration of life reception in the parish hall immediately following.

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

  • 10/12/2024

    I coached track with Marty at Steilacoom HS in 2009-2010. He a way of spotting talented young athletes and training to excel in an event. Marty took a lanky XC runner and had him try hurdling as a sophomore. As a Jr and Sr he was a State finalist in the110 and 300 hurdles. Coaching was his passion.I was blessed to learn alot from Marty. Fond memories of Marty.

  • 04/08/2024

    He was a great teacher and fun guy. He will be missed...

  • 02/07/2024

    I have great memories of Marty, we 1st met as my track coach my senior year at WWU in 1970, we worked together on a fishing boat out of Kodiak Alaska the summer of 1972, we helped each other on building a few of our houses through the years, had season tickets together for a couple decades for Husky Football, went to a number of Sonic BB games with Bill Ripple and Marty, ran in a number of distance races with Marty(he always beat me), went to a number of years at the King Bowl for the HS State FB finals, had a great time at dad's weekend at WSU and on and on. I'll miss Marty, we had a great time for decades. I wish his family the best, he was a great man.---Larry Anderson

  • 02/07/2024

    A great teacher, a great coach, a great mentor and a great friend. RIP Marty.

Add a Candle or Spiritual Image

Click below to add to your message.

Loading...