Cecil "Lefty" Edward Martin1928 - 2016Cecil "Lefty" E. Martin of Cottage Grove passed away on December 1, 2016 at the age of 88 from age related causes. He was born on a country farm on August 19, 1928 in Abilene, Kansas to Harold and Beulah (Kelley) Martin. After the Depression, things still were not good in Kansas. When a friend in Oregon told Lefty's dad about a mechanic job they packed up all their belongings and moved west to Cottage Grove, Oregon on August 6, 1940. Upon arriving there was no place to rent due to the construction work on the Cottage Grove reservoir. The only place for them to live was at the Johnson Motel, which is where Lefty's love affair with golf began. The motel owner's son, Bruce Johnson, took Lefty to the Hidden Valley Golf Course at the age of 12. He graduated from Cottage Grove High School in 1946 and then attended Oregon State University. On September 11, 1949, Lefty married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Anderson, and together they had 6 children. Lefty had many occupations. First, working alongside his dad at Harold's Auto Repair Shop, then as a butcher in his father-in-law's "Quality Meat Market", and 26 years in car sales where he became manager of all departments at the local Ford Garage. Between all of his work was his love for all kinds of sports. In 1974, he was given the First Citizens Award for all the years he served as president of the Cottage Grove Recreation Group. It was during those years that parents would often stop and thank him for making it possible for their son to play baseball that summer. Besides the love for his family, his second love was golf, which he became very good at. Lefty had a minus 3 handicap, 8 hole in ones, and a double eagle on the old number 2 golf hole at Hidden Valley Golf Course in Cottage Grove. He also enjoyed teaching others how to play the game or just helping them with a golf problem if they asked. Helping teach youngsters in a youth program each summer was also something he enjoyed. One of the highlights of his golf career was going to the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida. He was a charter member of the local Elks Club. After the loss of his beloved wife, Barbara, in 1980 and a year later the loss of his youngest son, Barri, he turned to selling insurance. Lefty married Ida Boyce on October 23, 1990 adding 4 more sons to his already large family. He retired at the age of 84. When his golfing days, that lasted 75 years, ended he enjoyed the visits with his family and friends, sitting on the porch watching the birds at his bird feeders, the beautiful flowers Ida had growing alongside their putting green, and looking up at the jets flying in the sky. He is survived by his wife Ida and his daughter Shannon Martin, and sons Tim (Beth) Martin, Pat (Syndi) Martin of Cottage Grove, and Scott (Kristine) Martin of St. Louis, Missouri. Also, four step-sons, Jerry (Nancy) Boyce of Eugene, Rick (Kathy) Boyce, Darin (Theresa) Boyce of Cottage Grove, and Mike (Jennifer) Boyce of Georgia. A brother, Bill (Kathy) Martin of Washington. He has 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Barbara and 2 sons, Michael and Barri Martin. A celebration of life is planned in the spring at the Cottage Grove Elks Lodge. Lefty will be greatly missed by his wife, family, and the Cottage Grove Community.