Garth Murry Martin

MARTIN, Garth Murry (2/21/1932 - 10/05/2014) Born February 21, 1932 in Texarkana, Texas to Garth Calvin Martin and Elizabeth Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jerry and sister Elizabeth Splawn. Garth was a remarkable man by any standards. He joined the Marine Corps after graduating from high school and spent his nineteenth and twentieth birthday in combat in Korea. After returning to the United States, he completed his duty as a staff sergeant at the Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia and was assigned to the Pentagon as a security guard. He also was responsible for raising the colors at the Iwo Jima Memorial each day. Garth was extremely proud to be a Marine and often stated that this experience was invaluable in shaping his strength and determination to fulfill his goals in the future. After leaving the Marines, he moved to Stockton, California to pursue his love of music. He began his musical career in high school when he became an accomplished jazz drummer and performed professionally in local venues in Texarkana. He enrolled in the College of the Pacific (now known as the University of the Pacific), the home of his hero, Dave Brubeck. While he was there, he was mentored by a remarkable California historian, Dr. Coke Wood, who influenced him to change his coursework to education, majoring in history. Garth went on to graduate from California State University at Sacramento and spent his entire twenty-seven year teaching career teaching history and English in the San Juan Unified School District, primarily at Louis Pasteur Middle School. Garth was also an accomplished photographer, poet and artist and he pursued his post graduate studies in art at CSUS. He held numerous private showings of his work and was a contributing artist to the Crocker Art Museum's annual Art Auction and Big Names, Small Art show for many years. He had a drive to pursue experiences that challenged his love of adventure. He spent a summer in Zermatt, Switzerland climbing the Matterhorn and was a passionate sports car driver enthusiast. He participated in sports car races throughout California and was in several races with Steve McQueen, who Garth always described as a gracious and unpretentious individual. Garth was truly a Renaissance man who loved life, art, nature, teaching, challenging pursuits and his family and friends dearly. He was a sensitive and caring individual who always sought to defend children and families who were underrepresented or who needed assistance. He is survived by his beloved wife of forty years, Linda, his two sons Stan and Jerry, his sister Cathy, his "adopted" Calderon family, beloved uncles, aunts and cousins and five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was a cherished friend and role model to so many individuals and we cannot imagine losing this remarkable and talented man. Rest in peace, "Garthie." You were a special, irreplaceable person who touched the lives of so many adults and children. You will always be in our hearts and we loved you dearly. A private interment will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California and a celebration of life will be held on November 9, 2014 from 2-4 pm at the North Ridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Ave., Fair Oaks, CA 95628. In his honor, contributions may be sent to the Kiwanis Club of Carmichael Foundation, PO Box 680, Carmichael, CA 95609-0680 to be designated for scholarships for students to attend the San Juan Unified School District's Camp Winthers Music Camp.