- Born on: July 3, 1961
- Departed on: December 16, 2018
- Resided in: Garwin, IA
Artrice Martin-El
Artrice Umar Shakir Martin-El
Born on July 3rd, 1961- Departed on December 16th, 2018
Artrice left this earthly plain and ascended to be with his ancestors at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA on December 16th, 2018. He fought bravely against cancer for 2 years.
Artrice is preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Ann Martin (Davis) and his father, the Reverend Otris Martin. His sisters Deborah Simmons and Traci Walker.
Artrice leaves behind sisters Sara Garnes, Shirley Cherisse Cox and Lisa Coleman. His brother, Tyrone Martin-Bey. His daughters Clair Yale (Martin) and Cecelia Yale (Martin). The young man he loved for the past 10 years, Austen DeSchamp. His nieces and nephews include Deborah's sons Darrell and Romell Simmons. Traci's children, Stacey Walker and Cymone Green. Sara's children, Martin, "Tad" Herbert and Toya Garnes. Cherisse's son, Shawn Cox. Tyrone's children, Raheim, Tre and Paris Martin, Demetrius and Hezekiah Solis-Martin.
He also leaves behind his fiance, Michelle Jones. She would become his partner in life and in love.
Artrice's life was filled with many talents and an epic sense of adventure. He was a prankster who could make the people around him feel amazing with just a flash of his million dollar smile or give them that "uh-oh" feeling when he gave the "up to no good" look. Either way it would be an adventure.
Artrice did it his way. He did not fit into any mold. He did not just dance to his own beat, he convinced others to come along while he sang his own song in his own singing group. Artrice was the most charismatic, charming, loving, caring, smart, talented pain in the butt anyone could ever ask for. He was one of a kind in every way and was loved for it.
Artrice loved sports and all things athletic. He participated in boxing, body building, basketball, and football. This love took him to the Iowa Hawkeye football program where he played for Hayden Fry and went to the 1981 Rose Bowl.
Artrice worked hard in construction. He was a part of building many buildings in the Iowa City area, including Coral Ridge Mall, PapaJon Pavillion, the Field House and many others. He was always happiest when he talked about concrete. After several back surgeries, he was urged to find less strenuous work. So he started his own painting company.
There were many layers to Art's talents. He played bass guitar, golf, chess and his beloved artwork. He was especially talented at portraits but loved other media as well.
He joined the Navy and was honorably discharged.
It is very difficult to sum up the life of such an amazing person. No matter what happened to him he always had the strength to get back up and keep it moving.
Artrice cherished his family and friends. He remembered the birthdays (even before Facebook). He is definitely a man to be remembered. He dressed well, loved hard, worked hard and played hard.
Artrice Umar Shakir Martin-El (Junior, Uncle Junior, Tree, Trice, Skate, Dirty Red, Ice Berg, Berg, Bird) will be greatly missed.
Born on July 3rd, 1961- Departed on December 16th, 2018
Artrice left this earthly plain and ascended to be with his ancestors at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA on December 16th, 2018. He fought bravely against cancer for 2 years.
Artrice is preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Ann Martin (Davis) and his father, the Reverend Otris Martin. His sisters Deborah Simmons and Traci Walker.
Artrice leaves behind sisters Sara Garnes, Shirley Cherisse Cox and Lisa Coleman. His brother, Tyrone Martin-Bey. His daughters Clair Yale (Martin) and Cecelia Yale (Martin). The young man he loved for the past 10 years, Austen DeSchamp. His nieces and nephews include Deborah's sons Darrell and Romell Simmons. Traci's children, Stacey Walker and Cymone Green. Sara's children, Martin, "Tad" Herbert and Toya Garnes. Cherisse's son, Shawn Cox. Tyrone's children, Raheim, Tre and Paris Martin, Demetrius and Hezekiah Solis-Martin.
He also leaves behind his fiance, Michelle Jones. She would become his partner in life and in love.
Artrice's life was filled with many talents and an epic sense of adventure. He was a prankster who could make the people around him feel amazing with just a flash of his million dollar smile or give them that "uh-oh" feeling when he gave the "up to no good" look. Either way it would be an adventure.
Artrice did it his way. He did not fit into any mold. He did not just dance to his own beat, he convinced others to come along while he sang his own song in his own singing group. Artrice was the most charismatic, charming, loving, caring, smart, talented pain in the butt anyone could ever ask for. He was one of a kind in every way and was loved for it.
Artrice loved sports and all things athletic. He participated in boxing, body building, basketball, and football. This love took him to the Iowa Hawkeye football program where he played for Hayden Fry and went to the 1981 Rose Bowl.
Artrice worked hard in construction. He was a part of building many buildings in the Iowa City area, including Coral Ridge Mall, PapaJon Pavillion, the Field House and many others. He was always happiest when he talked about concrete. After several back surgeries, he was urged to find less strenuous work. So he started his own painting company.
There were many layers to Art's talents. He played bass guitar, golf, chess and his beloved artwork. He was especially talented at portraits but loved other media as well.
He joined the Navy and was honorably discharged.
It is very difficult to sum up the life of such an amazing person. No matter what happened to him he always had the strength to get back up and keep it moving.
Artrice cherished his family and friends. He remembered the birthdays (even before Facebook). He is definitely a man to be remembered. He dressed well, loved hard, worked hard and played hard.
Artrice Umar Shakir Martin-El (Junior, Uncle Junior, Tree, Trice, Skate, Dirty Red, Ice Berg, Berg, Bird) will be greatly missed.
