Mr. Bertrand Vernon Martin Jr

Bertrand Vernon Martin Jr. affectionately called “Bert� by family was born on October 23, 1973 in Tacoma, Washington to Vernon and Letitia Martin. Bertrand was the only child of that union. His Father was a military man and the family spent time in Ansbach, Germany. Although he was very young he was exceptionally smart and picked up the German ways quickly. He returned to California at the age of 3 and upon reaching school age, he attended the San Diego Unified School District where he graduated from Kearny High School in 1991. Bertrand began his college career at Mt. Sac Community College in Pomona, California where he completed his General Education courses and earned an Associates of Arts degree before being accepted to the University of New Mexico on a football scholarship where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. After completing his schooling, Bertrand returned home to San Diego. Bertrand was always full of life and eager to enjoy life to the fullest. He was extremely kind-hearted and willing to give the shirt off his back. He enjoyed football (from pop warner to his college career) as well as any other physical activity, especially running and lifting weights. Bertrand’s other loves included music (everything but country) which included playing his bass guitar. Bertrand also loved reading his Bible . He would sit for hours asking questions and looking up the answers in the Bible with his Auntie Denise. And he would often discuss the legal system with his Auntie Doreen as he contemplated attending Law School. Bertrand also had a love of words and poetry, but really spending time with his family was his favorite pastime. Bertrand would spend almost every night sitting and talking with his Mom and Auntie Lori about any and everything. So many have been touched by Bertrand and his words that it would take a library full of books to mention all who LOVED him and we know he will be missed by all, especially his “little� sister Renessa (Nessa Scessa), his right hand man and “lil brother� (cousin) Kenny (Ken-Lo), along with the rest of his cousins James (JT) Jones, George (Lil G), Nicole (Nicki Noozers) , Janae (Nay-Nay), and the newest addition Diogi (Nuppers). Left to think of him often and remember him ALWAYS are: his parents Letitia Martin and Bertrand Vernon Martin Sr., 2 sisters Renessa and Blessing, 1 brother Marcel, his maternal grandmothers Beverly Brooks, Grandma Sue and his Granddad Larry Brooks. He will be missed by his great uncles Cookie and Raymond Taylor and great aunt Lorenza Taylor-Pace along with a host of other aunts, uncles and cousins. Not to mention the many close friends that are here today that have come to love him as family