Jim Roberts (1967)

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PASSING OF FRED MARTIN:

Alice Young Martin contacted Bob Gerringer to place a statement on the Alumni Forum about the passing of her husband of 53 years, my dear friend Fred Martin. Bob, knowing that I am a close family friend, asked me to post her statement and take the opportunity to add a personal tribute to Fred. Here is what Alice wanted to pass along:

Fred Martin 1949 - 2024

After five decades of a wonderful marriage, my beloved husband Fred passed peacefully in his sleep, early Monday morning, October 21st. The night before, he was clear-headed and joking around with our son David and me. But he told close family that he was ready to be done with his 5-year battle against prostate and bone cancer. We thank all who were aware of Fred’s battle for all of your prayers and support. 

Alice chose to not post a formal obituary, nor will I. Having been closer to Fred than most other AC Alumni, I will share a few memories of the personal relationship I had with him. I hope this will give us insights into our 1967 entering fellow classmate Fred.

After Fred and Alice married in 1971, they lived and worked in the Pasadena, CA area as my wife Hazel and I did. Ray and Marie young, parents of Alice, came to work in Pasadena as well. We drew close to the Youngs as we did to Fred’s parents, Jim and Doris Hughes. There were numerous occasions for social interaction that often included Fred and Alice. These continued for nearly 25 years until Hazel and I were transferred to the field ministry.

During the 18 years we served in the Bay Area, CA WCG/GCI churches, we made frequent trips to Pasadena for church business, and to tend to our rental home there. On most occasions we would stay over with the Youngs in their home and continue our fellowship with Fred and Alice. Fred established a home on the Young property and the Martins shared that space with Youngs for some 13 years. During Ray Young’s bout with cancer, Fred was instrumental in supporting the family. After Ray’s decease, Fred continued to be there for Marie Young, with Alice serving as primary caregiver for her mother when she entered in-home hospice care.       

Retirement in 2014 brought Hazel and me back to our Pasadena home, and we were able to participate in frequent visits with Marie and the Martins. When Marie passed, the Martins and Alice’s siblings were able to sell the property. We were involved in helping Martins prepare for their move to Oregon to be close to their two sons. In the process, I inherited many of Fred’s cacti, large and small, and transferred them to my property. They still stand today after I sold the house this past year. The buyer loves the plants and my rock gardens, so they remain as a kind of monument to Fred.   

Martins stayed over a few times with Hazel and me when they visited SoCal for business and social reasons. My present wife Kaye and I were delighted Fred wanted to make a last trip south for the July 2024 Reunion. It was great to visit with them at the Glaros home, who hosted us during the Reunion, and at Gerringer’s home. So glad we did since Fred completed his courageous journey just three months later.

Though Fred slowly lost his cancer war, he won many battles along the way, and earned great esteem and respect for the way he coped with the affliction. Fred’s loving wife Alice deserves accolades for her faithful support of Fred until the end.  

This is just a thumbnail of our many good times spent in the company of the Martins and Youngs. They are among our heroes, and we look forward to our next visit with Fred.