Martel Leon Burrows Obituary (1960

Our beloved MARTEL LEON BURROWS departed this earth on January 31, 2016. Martel is now in the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ and is greeted by his loved ones in heaven that have preceded him in death. Martel was born on October 16th, 1960 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Leon D. Burrows & DeLores Peterson. He is survived by his Father & step-mother, Leon and Barbara Burrows, his Mother & step-father, DeLores and Ted Henninger. Sisters, Liane Dee Burrows Cutler, and April Henninger Terry. Daughters, Ashley Rochelle Burrows, Crystal Cheynne Burrows, stepdaughter Jennifer Mitchell and his granddaughter, Lilyana, Ashley & Brent's daughter. His brother, Monte Burrows, Stepbrothers Bill & Bob Kendrick. When Martel was nine, his dad married Barbara Kendrick. He grew up in this blended family, with his sister, Lonnie, along with Barbara's boys Bill, Bob and Monte. When he was about 12, Martel, Lonnie and his brothers, Bill, Bob & family friend, Steve, spent every weekend at their ten acre Hardware Ranch Mountain property, building a cabin. They spent countless hours riding BMX bikes, dirt bikes and 3-wheelers. Quite miraculously, there were no broken bones! After completing the hunter's safety course (twice), Martel managed to shoot himself in the foot, but unlike the number of courses he took, he shot himself only once. He was so embarrassed about the incident that he convinced Steve to take the blame whenever he was explaining the circumstance to one of the several girls he liked. This was a great time in our lives, with countless memories and stories to tell. We loved Martel through two marriages. He was blessed with two daughters, Ashley, Crystal, along with a beautiful granddaughter, Lilyana, Ashley and Brent's daughter. Martel's whole life revolved around providing and maintaining a safe, supporting home environment for them. He loved them very much. Martel inherited his father's artistic abilities and talents. He refined them into multi-faceted areas that served him well. He was truly a multi-talented artist and artisan, he took a great deal of pride in his work and talents, whether creating or constructing something for himself, or for one of his many satisfied clients or friends. He successfully operated his own General Contracting business, "Martelz Home Improvement", specializing in home improvements & renovation. Martel excelled in everything he put his hands to. In November 2013 Martel & his dad, while meeting with a potential client, were shown a wood lathe in the home owners work-shop, along with some of his turnings. Martel was instantly fascinated, he purchased a lathe the next day and soon began creating astoundingly beautiful pieces. It didn't take long for Martel to become proficient at his newly found passion, as he was creating some of the most beautiful pieces that only his imagination could have conceived of. Martel's cousin, David Nielsen, along with his dad, Leon, designed and built a website to showcase Martel's work: www.martelzexoticwoods.com. He has many friends and followers on his Facebook page. Martel was a selfless person, one that would drop whatever he was doing to lend a hand. He genuinely cared for the well being of others, especially for his girls and granddaughter. If Martel could have had one final prayer answered before to his departure from this earth, it most certainly would have been that he had provided the foundation for, and that he had done all he could do, to instill self-worth, stability, self-reliance and accountability into them, as he had demonstrated to them by his own actions, time and time again. He loved them more than life itself. Crystal added: My dad was the most amazing friend that anyone could ever dream of having. He was loved by so many because he truly had a beautiful artistic soul to share with everyone. That's just one of the many reasons why people loved him so. I am blessed and very lucky to have called him my very best friend, my advice giver, my shoulder to cry on, and most importantly my dad. We loved each other to pieces. And we always knew how to make each other laugh. I will always have the most amazing and the coolest dad ever. And he will never be forgotten. - Crystal Rest in Peace Martel, you will be profoundly missed. A Memorial Service will be held on February 9 at Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary, 372 East First South, SLC, UT. Friends may call at 6 pm, Service at 7-8 pm.