Wayne Leoer Martin

Wayne Leoer Martin was born in Sterling, Colorado, on April 7, 1941, at Samaritan Hospital to Floyd Leonard Gabriel Martin and Leora Emma Grauberger. As his father was in the Navy, Wayne's early years were spent moving from station to station around the United States. The Martins started in Colorado, then proceeded to move to Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois and finally ending in California. Wayne attended Lincoln Elementary in La Verne, California, and then Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, California, where his father taught. Wayne then decided to attend California State College at Los Angeles, receiving both a Bachelor of Arts and Master's Degree in Music. On June 14, 1964, Wayne married the love of his life, Beverly Kay Hill, at Monterey Park Methodist Church. They were married 57 beautiful years!

Wayne and Beverly had two children, Jeffrey Lawrence (now married to Kaycy) and Pamela Kay; they also have one granddaughter, Whitney Kay Martin. Wayne had one sibling, a twin brother, Duane F Martin (wife Linda).

The Martins bought their home in Whittier, and Wayne's life was full of family, church, local community, and music. During the early summers he directed camps for both the Alhambra YMCA and Boys' Club of Pasadena. He was also an Organist and Minister of Music at Plymouth Church in Whittier. Wayne passed on his love of music, as an Elementary and Junior High Music Teacher in El Monte for 36 years. He organized a handbell choir for orthopedically handicapped students and continued to direct them for 5 years after his retirement.

Wayne was a creator--spending his time designing beautiful greeting cards for family and friends, honing his skills in stained glass, photography, and garden railroad, and of course, creating music. Singing in the choir and Men's Quartet at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Wayne enjoyed using his musical gift his entire life! He was also a handyman and outdoorsman, loving to camp when he could. In his later years, Wayne worked on recording his memories into his "Life Story."

Wayne will be greatly missed, and his memory cherished by his family and friends.