Michael H. Martin

1963 - 2015

Michael H. Martin
March 22, 1963 - December 31, 2015

Michael H. Martin, 52, died suddenly at home December 31, 2015. Born March 22, 1963 in England, Mike moved to Apple Valley in 1970 when his father was assigned to George Air Force Base. He leaves his wife of 14 years, Kathie; stepchildren Jill Baxter and Nick Baxter; and father- and mother-in-law, Jeff and Kathy Reed, Hot Springs, AR. He is the son of Chloreta Martin, Mooreland, OK and the late Kenneth Martin. He is also survived by five siblings: Cindy (Pete) Salinas, Richland, WA; Kenneth, Jr. (Anja), Schrollbach, Germany; Marcy (Gerald) Seville, Buckeye, AZ; Stacy (Greg) Chip, Mooreland, OK; and Kerry Martin, Manchester, NH, nieces and nephews, Chad, Jessica, Reyanna, Travis, Jennica, Kyle, Steven, Kenna, Buddy, and several grand-nieces and nephews. Mike attended Rancho Verde Elementary, Apple Valley Junior and Apple Valley High School (Class of 1981). He earned a Bachelor's degree at Cal State San Bernardino with a dual major in English and math. After college, he returned to Apple Valley and began his first career at Apple Valley Recreation and Park District, running the basketball leagues, day camps and other programs for 15 years, and ending as Acting General Manager. Thousands of Apple Valley youth were influenced by "Big Mike". He refereed, coached and molded a generation of "gym rats", providing a safe haven and gentle guidance. He was often approached by a (somewhat) familiar face, asking "Big Mike, remember me?" And they would share stories of his positive influence in their lives. Many local kids had their first jobs working for Mike as a scorekeeper, lifeguard or recreation leader. He continued his service to the recreation needs of the community by serving as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for the past 10 years. In his next professional challenge, he became a building and safety inspector for Charles Abbott Associates in 2005. He was one of the first people in California to be certified a Master Code Professional, and held more than 30 building and safety, accessibility, plans examiner and building official certifications. (St. Peter better hope those Pearly Gates are up to code!) After 38 years of confirmed bachelorhood, Mike found his soul mate in Kathie. He often noted how she messed up his plan to move to a cave in Colorado and become a hermit. They were married January 19, 2002 in Apple Valley. Mike was a devoted and loving husband. Kathie never opened a door, put on her own coat, nor doubted his deep and abiding love for her. His gruff exterior was a poor camouflage for a sensitive, insightful man. He read voraciously, three or four books at a time and dozens a year. He loved to debate the finer points of the Twilight series with Jill, but was also working his way through the top 100 modern classics. He was an eager and eclectic consumer of music, and a shuffle of his iTunes would bring up Barbra and Bon Jovi, Jay-Z and Johnny Cash, Rihanna and Rachmaninov, and a dozen others that only a true music connoisseur would recognize. Thursdays brought text conversations with Nick as they debated that week's picks for Fantasy Football. One of his greatest pleasures was arts and culture. He and Kathie were season ticket holders to the Falcon Theater in Toluca Lake since 2002, and made an annual trek to Laguna for the Pageant of the Masters and art festivals. He took great joy in purchasing original art directly from the artists, and would spend time to understand their story when doing so. Many of his meaningful gifts to Kathie are works he commissioned to capture his love for her. During the last seven years, he reestablished his faith in Christ as he began attending High Desert Church and would spend his Thursday nights with his small group. He found great comfort in the unending grace and unfailing love of Christ. "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 A celebration of Mike's life will be held Thursday, January 7 at 2 p.m. at Sunset Hills Memorial Park. He was a lifelong fan of the Red Sox and Seahawks, and lover of all sports. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite sports team attire, or join Team Red Sox in honor of Mike. A reception will follow at the Apple Valley Conference Center at 14975 Dale Evans Parkway. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Apple Valley Community Resource Foundation (S.A.V.E.) in support of special events and cultural arts in Apple Valley. Even after his career in recreation ended, he continued as a volunteer and was a cheerleader for "A Better Way of Life" in Apple Valley. Donations can be made by check, sent to SAVE, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, CA 92307, or online at www.AppleValleyEvents.org.