Martin "Marty" Hodgkinson Strong's Obituary
Martin “Marty” Hodgkinson Strong passed away peacefully at his home in Salem, Utah, on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Marty was born on November 18, 1948, to Fred and Doris Strong as the fifth of ten children. He grew up in Springville, Utah, where he developed the strong work ethic, adventurous spirit, and natural curiosity that would shape his life. He graduated from Springville High School and later attended Utah State University, where he competed in football and wrestling. A man of many talents, Marty also had a deep appreciation for music. During his college years, he played the cello in the Utah Symphony, and later in life he enjoyed playing the accordion, an instrument especially meaningful to him because it had been a favorite of his mother’s.
Marty was a man of extraordinary skill and endless curiosity. Over the course of his life, he worked as an auto mechanic, airplane mechanic, electrician, welder, scuba diving dredge operator, mining and diesel mechanic, certified EMT, private pilot, over-the-road semi-truck driver, and business owner of his own automotive garage. One of his greatest adventures took him to Africa, where he spent two years as head of maintenance and diver for a gold and diamond dredging operation. No matter the challenge, Marty approached it with confidence, intelligence, and an unmatched ability to fix or build just about anything.
He lived life fully and with enthusiasm, pursuing his many passions and hobbies with energy and joy. Marty especially enjoyed fishing, golfing, scuba diving, flying private planes, riding motorcycles, and racing cars and dune buggies. He loved coaching little league football, cheering on all kinds of sports, and most of all, spending time doing anything that involved speed, skill, or adventure. Above all, Marty took great pride in repairing what was broken, finding genuine satisfaction in restoring things—and sometimes people—back to working order.
Marty was the proud father of four sons from his first marriage to Merle Kovatch. On January 3, 1985 he married Esther Anne Marrott McLaughlin, and together they blended their families, including her three children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Doris Strong; his granddaughter, Alexi Wiles; his brother, Eddie; his sisters Nellie, Peggy, Nancy, and Margie; and his first wife, Merle Kovatch Brownell.
Marty is survived by his sweet wife, Esther Strong; his children Joseph (Holly), David (Holly), Matthew (Cristina), James (Jamie), Alan McLaughlin (Jessica), Kate McLaughlin Wiles (Shane), and Justin McLaughlin (Tiffany); 24 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one “adopted” son, Thomas Langston. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, ingenuity, adventure, and deep devotion to those he loved.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Salem 12th Ward building, located at 160 South 460 West, Salem, Utah. A viewing will be held at the same location from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment and dedication of the grave will immediately follow at the Salem City Cemetery.
Marty’s hard work, adventurous spirit, many talents, and willingness to help others will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family gratefully welcomes donations to help support Esther’s ongoing care. Esther, moved into a care center about a year ago when her increasing needs could no longer be fully managed at home. She has been living with progressive dementia and is currently receiving hospice care at Beehive Homes of Salem.
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