Charles “Solie” Martin age 91, passed away on April 2, 2012 in Banning, CA. He was born at home on the Morongo Reservation to John and Sarah Morongo Martin.

He lived on the reservation all his life. He proudly served in WWII and went to machine gunner school, parachute school and was a paratrooper. He retired from the Morongo Health Clinic and served several terms on the Morongo Tribal Council. He was one of a kind. Known for his biscuits, salsa and apricot pie.

He was an awesome husband and grandfather, very proud veteran. He was a lifetime member of the Morongo Moravian Church and had his special seat where he sat every Sunday. He had many, many longtime friends from the clinic and from Cafe Serrano at Casino Morongo.

Charles is survived by his wife of 26 years Grace Juarez Martin; sister Anna Martin; brother Calvin Martin, all from the Morongo Reservation; step daughters and sons-in-law Mary and Ron Broussard of Lafayette, Louisiana and Becky and Mark Connolly of Beaumont; Sylvia & George Olivas of Bakersfield, CA; step daughter Michelle Velasquez & fiance Edward Gordin of Banning, CA; step son Leandro Lopez of Cabazon, CA; god son Leonard Linton, Jr., lots of nieces, nephews and a life time of friends on the Morongo Indian Reservation; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his 1st wife Ione Nombrie Martin and one son Charles Martin, Jr.; parents John Martin and Sarah Morongo Martin; brothers Frank Lawes, John Martin, Louie Martin, Paul Martin and sister Ella Martin and her son James Charles Martin.

Traditional all night wake: Friday, April 13, 2012 starting at 5:00pm at the Morongo Tribal Hall; Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10:00am at Morongo Moravian Church; Graveside following at Morongo Tribal Cemetery.

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