Lugene Bruce Martin

peacefully on December 11, 2022 at the age of 96.

Gene was born in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of late Lloyd B. and G. Glenere (Grundman) Martin and was the younger brother of his late sister Emily. He attended Central High School where he competed in

three sports. Upon graduation in June 1944, he enlisted in the Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Braxton in the South Pacific. Just as World War II was ending, he was sent to Officers Training School at Stanford University in September 1945. Collegiate sports returned in 1946 and Gene competed in football, basketball, and track and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity from Fall 1946 to Spring 1950. He excelled as a split end on the football team and was named to the All Pacific Coast 1948 Team.

In 1950 Gene was signed to play professional football by the New York Yankees (Baltimore Colts, now Indianapolis Colts), but a shoulder injury curtailed that path so he dedicated his passion for sports in a different way. He possessed a deep love for coaching and he began to pursue a coaching and teaching career, just like his father had done. The journey began in Aberdeen, WA, College of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, and Fullerton Junior College, before landing at his beloved Cerritos College from 1956 to 1989.

Gene taught physical education and health (along with being the director of counseling) with enthusiasm, humility, and charisma. He was the first athletic director at Cerritos College and served as a coach for football, track, and volleyball. He enriched the lives of so many students, all whom had the privilege of knowing him. In 2013, he was inducted into the Cerritos College Hall of Fame. During his time at Cerritos, he was also a college football official for 20 years.

Gene is reunited in the next life with the love of his life, Armella, his second wife of 54 years and his daughter Cathy. He is survived by his first wife, Rosemary, of 12 years and his children: Merri, Gail, David (Melinda), and Tom (Theresa), 8 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren. The memorial service for Gene will take place at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 29, at the McAulay and Wallace Mortuary in Fullerton. He will be laid to rest with his wife at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton.