STOOPS, MARTIN JOHN, age 78 of Waterford, passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021. He was born on September 3, 1942 in Manistee to parents John and Beverly Stoops. Martin is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Char Everett Stoops; daughter, Tracy (James) Tackett-Helzer; grandson, Alexander Heltzer; granddaughter, Cori Lendzion; siblings: Gwendolyn McCann and Brent (Debra) Stoops; uncle, Henry Guthard; several nieces, nephews, and numerous loving cousins. He was preceded in death by both parents. At an early age, Marty showed his talents for designing and modeling. In 1957 at the age of 15 he won the prestigious Ford Motor Company Industrial Arts Award. He graduated from Our Lady of Sorrows, in Farmington, attended Oakland Community College and earned a degree from The Institute of Computer Science. He was very proud of his service to our county in the US Navy. He was a Crew Chief on F4 Phantom Jets during the Vietnam War Era. He was always interested in flying and some might still remember him and his friends flying model airplanes, after Sunday services, in the park on Power Rd by Our Lady of Sorrows. He took his first Solo flight on May 14, 1966 from Mettetal Airport and always enjoyed flying co-pilot with his brother-in-law, Jimmy. He really loved our family/friends vacations on cruises and the houseboat vacations on Dale Hollow Lake where we would always end, the last night, with the "capture the boat/flag" war between the pontoon boats. He would spend many weeks, ahead of the vacation, thinking up "war strategies'' for winning against much younger nephews and their friends... Marty did not let his cancer diagnosis slow him down. In fact, he accomplished many home related building projects, even during radiation & chemo treatments. He maintained a positive attitude throughout his illness and kept making improvements on their riverfront oasis. He will be greatly missed by many, including siblings, family, friends but mostly his partner, wife, advocate & friend - Char. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 11am to 2pm at COATS FUNERAL HOME - WATERFORD. Inurnment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Gary Sinise Foundation, or Plymouth Police Officer's Association in honor of Martin.