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BORN
1927
DIED
2014
Thomas Martin Obituary
Thomas S. Martin was a man of love and generosity. Many of you will recognize him as a long-time Camarillo community member who served in a multitude of capacities. T
om served as Mayor, City Councilman, Recreation and Park District Board member, educator, and in the following positions in the LDS Church; Stake Presidency Counselor, Bishop and Stake Patriarch. To his family, he was a gentle man with a vibrant soul. Tom, or better known as Pa, was loved for who he was within the walls of his own home, behind the scenes of his public servant life and for all the things he did to make each day worthwhile. Everything he did was for his family and for others. He was a true servant of goodness.
Thomas Shirley Martin was born February 20, 1927 in Sanford, CO and passed away March 18, 2014 in Camarillo, CA. He was the 9th of 11 children born to Adolphus Rabannah and Etta Mae Martin. Tom was a joyful lad who loved life and filed away his memorable experiences only to be brought out at a later time as a great story or life lesson.
Tom had a multitude of jobs. From working on the railroad, icing vegetable trains, hauling produce, or working alongside his dad and brothers on their well rigs.In May of 1947, Tom served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the California/Arizona mission. Spending over a year in Hayden, AZ allowed him the blessing of building lifelong friendships and relationships that would change the course of his life after his mission.
Tom served the final year of his mission without purse or script (sans financial support for food or lodging) learning many lasting and spiritual lessons. Tom began his honorable service in the U.S. Army and was a Korean War Veteran. Following the war he made his way back to Sanford, CO to pick up his red Chevy pick-up and headed to sunny California. Tom's 45 year teaching career began in Needles, CA and was completed in Camarillo at Adolfo Camarillo High School. You may remember him as your Drivers Education/Training instructor.
When Tom visited Hayden, AZ two decades after his mission, he met and courted Susan Elaine Taylor. Married for 47 years, they loved and raised 8 beautiful children: Lanell (Laren), Bruce (Deanie), Jon, Scott (Mary), Nancy (Si), Tom (Jenny), Nathan (Marita), and Micah (Lauren). Tom and Susan have 27 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
In the last years of his life, Tom was blessed to be cared for by his wife Susan, his children and the compassionate service of Roze Room Hospice. He enjoyed the comforts of home until his Heavenly reunion with his loved ones who have gone before him. Tom, we will miss your quick, witty jokes, your expressions of love and your stories that left us all feeling better about ourselves. You are and will always be loved.
Services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, March 24, 2014 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1201 Paseo Camarillo Drive in Camarillo, CA. Graveside services will follow at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund http://www.ldsphilanthropies/missionary/.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Martin
Keith & Sharon Billings
April 17, 2014
Tom is a great leader of people! Meeting with him in Presidency meetings was a blessing to each of us present. He loved the people of the Stake. He gave Sharon's dad a blessing before her dad came to Utah to live with us and Tom cried tears that he could not bless him with recovery. Tom and Susan came to Utah one time to get some parts for an old car he was restoring. He had a great love for many things. He took great joy in touring our show horses and lunching over dinner with us. We have certainly missed being near Susan and Tom.
Pattie Kaminski
March 29, 2014
Dear Susan and Family,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. It was a blessing to work with Mr. Martin at ACHS. He often made us laugh, and he appreciated every little thing I did. He was a wonderful educator who dedicated so much to his students, to his community, to his church, and to his country. I will pray for him and his family.
Warren and Judy Gibson
Warren Gibson
March 27, 2014
I remember Thomas and want to offer my condolences to the family. We have a love for all his family.
March 27, 2014
I am Louana Gibson Mabry, Tommy's first cousin. I have fond memories of him at our family outings when I was growing up. I met him and Susan in the Los Angeles Temple one evening which was joyful. Neither he or I knew the other one would be there. I live at 218 Humphrey Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527 and hope to get in touch with his family to give my love and condolences. Love, Louana
Ray and Linda Abbott
March 26, 2014
Dear Susan and family: Tom was and is a blessing to this community. He did a wonderful job as a City of Camarillo Councilman along with all his other work in town. He was honest and forthright in his dealings with people and always wanted to get the best decision for everyone involved. He never put himself first in that process. Always the gentleman, he will be missed but always remembered by those of us who knew and worked with him.
The Autreys Tom and Donna
Tom and Donna Autrey
March 25, 2014
I considered Tom Martin as one of my closest friends as we (Donna and I)were neighbors in Port Hueneme about 1960 and again later in Camarillo.
We helped each other on many projects. Both at home and Church and his sense of humor always made the work go smoother and better.
I can't remember him without a smile on his face and some corny Joke to keep us all smiling.
He was always very busy but managed to find time for Family and Friends.
He was a Great Leader and family man.
We will miss your good humor and sincerity to Home, Community and Church. Love Donna and Tom Autrey.
Randy Fife
March 25, 2014
Tom was one of the best people I ever met. He changed the course of my life as a Bishop in the LDS church. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
danny martin
March 25, 2014
I will never forget the time he drove all the way out to colorado only to pick me up bring me back to thousand oaks put me in port hueneme high 9th grad 1964 . first thing he did was take me to jc pennys for shirts pants socks and every thing. wow what a nice man . love you uncle tommy. dan martin son of ivan
Gabe Martin
March 24, 2014
You lived a full life, to say the very least.
John and Charlyn Parker
March 24, 2014
Dear Susan and Family - We just want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Love,
John and Charlyn Parker and Family
danny martin
March 24, 2014
uncle tom is the perfect example of a man. and what a great sense of humor. in 1964 he came in to the kitchen and saw me making some cream of wheat with milk and he went huh you should start makng that with powderd water. if you knew him you loved him. he worked at port heuneme high school at the time . thank god for him. dan martin
Mark Bennett
March 24, 2014
Thank you Brother Tom Martin! You have influenced my life in a significant and wonderful way. Thank you for your patience when I walked on your newly poured patio in 1965 as an innocent 5 year old. I still vividly remember the look on your face when you discovered my tracks. Thank you for home teaching visits with stories and object lessons that made lasting impressions ... old lanterns from the farm (the light of the Gospel), a frosty metal hand-pump in the cold winter with tantalizing ice crystals to which the tongue was applied ... but painfully withdrawn(the adversary, temptation, consequences). And, I still use "With all my heart, with all my mind, I know that I, stick up behind." My love and eternal thanks to the wonderful Martin family!!! Mark Bennett 1037 Beechwood
Kevin Billings
March 24, 2014
The Billings Family sends our thoughts which are many about this great man who has taught us all many things from schooling, driving,community service, personal stories (slot by the way) and gospel truths. When president Martin speaks everyone listen. He always gave great talks. My Dad bought his 79 custom Toyota pick up from him and my Dad gave it to me in 84 and I used it as daily driver for many years.I miss that truck just like I will miss Tom Martin....Love you Susan and family.;:;
Deanie Martin
March 23, 2014
I have gotta commend Dad for hanging on as long as he did, that took a lot of strength. His spirit will not fade. Every time you hear "What goes ha ha thump ha ha thump?" or even a Johnny Cash song on your car radio, or you catch yourself saying some fantastically corny thing like "Half the men in half the town have already done half a days work" Thomas Shirley Martin will surely be there.
Mike Kunka
March 23, 2014
As a near 16 yr old drivers ed student I recall President Martin looking over the new attendees and said "Kunka, are you in this class?" I said " yes." He said " You're coming with me." Not sure what that meant at the time but later learned that it meant I was driving A LOT more than everyone else in the car. On my last test I pulled out RMHS and did my usual rolling stop and was marked off as not passing that maneuver only to be told by him that "The Kunka stop is not the correct way to proceed through a stop sign." I have since told that story a few times even to my own kids. Sounds lame but it was a great memory of mine. Plus, it was the only thing I got wrong on my test.
There are so many more that I can say but I surely respected that great man and when you were in a room with him you knew what a great man he was.
My love and comfort goes to the Martin family.
March 23, 2014
Susan: you and Tom have been in my thoughts many times over the past years. One of my very specific memories of Tom was a temple recommend interview with him when he was in the Stake Presidency. I remember when you and I bought our fabric together for the quilt block drafting/piecing class we took from Sis. Stevenson. My heartfelt wishes go to you and your family. My memories are full of love, as are my good wishes and condolences now. Marcia Newell Tooele, Utah
Lee Talley
March 22, 2014
Susan and family: We have all been greatly blessed to have had personal experiences with Tom. My greatest experiences with him were when his hands were on my head or mine on his. I came to know that his great faith brought forth great blessings as I spoke with hands on his head. I am still experiencing blessings foretold as spoken by him. Tom was full of energy and he made things happen. I sometimes saw a little blast of temper but he always got it under control and his love for people overcame those fiery outbursts. I always sought for him to bless me in times of need. I love him deeply and look forward to a reunion with him. I hope he will have some time as a guardian angel to me. I would love to be at the memorial service for him but I am serving on a mission which he foretold. Paradise has just received a great new spirit on the path to ETERNAL GLORY.
Sharlene and Steve Campbell
March 22, 2014
Our hearts go out to you...so thankful he was a part of our lives.
Rod and Linda Brown
March 22, 2014
What a loss for all of us. A great man has left but because of our beliefs, we know that Families are Forever. Prayers to all the family.
Doug Hawkins
March 22, 2014
Tom was a great teacher, civic and church leader that gave tirelessly to the community. I still remember his drivers ed class I took 32 years ago at Camarillo High... He was funny, quick witted and half the jokes he told flew right past the kids in his class. Good times....
Rick Martin
March 22, 2014
Im Sorry to hear that Uncle Tom has passed,He was a real special guy and uncle to all of us. Our prayers are with you. Love you Rick Martin and family. I'm a son of Ivan Martin.
Leiann Snyder
March 22, 2014
I am glad to have known this great man. He had a wonderful smile and sense of humor! My love and sympathy goes out to all his wonderful family.
Janie Ellison
March 22, 2014
I send my love to you all, and am sad to hear this news. I am also so grateful his life was full of family and love.
We'll miss him. (He is my uncle; Ivan Martin's oldest daughter),
Janie Ellison
March 22, 2014
Oh yes, I remember Mr. Martin one of my favorite teachers at Hueneme High. I was in the first graduating class of 1961.
Mr. Martin was my drivers education teacher and also either history or civics.
A great teacher and a wonderful human being.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Martin
Nancy Bernier
1961
Hawrvey Van Sickle
March 22, 2014
Tom was a great man. I remember so many wonderful experiences with him from helping him tile his front entry way, to the many Church experiences we had together, and the many times we just talked about The San Luis Valley. I shall never forget his many kindnesses to Loretta, and how much she respected him. I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. My sincere condolences to Susan and family.
Lauren Martin
March 22, 2014
A truly wonderful father-in-law and the greatest of men. We miss you Pa!
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