Melber Harold Martin

Melber Harold Martin was born on July 8, 1929, and grew up in the small railroad town of Atchison, Kansas, along the Missouri River. His parents named him Melber to honor his grandfather who had died not long before in a construction accident. He was the only child of Harold and Rose Martin, who instilled in him a strong sense of humility and Christian values. Both parents had deep roots in Atchison, and Melber was raised surrounded by lots of extended family and a tight-knit community. Like so many in Atchison, his father was a lifelong railroad man, and it was assumed Melber would follow the family tradition after college —but he had different plans.

In high school, Melber was a standout athlete, which fueled his confidence and determination. He lettered in three sports— football, basketball and track. He especially excelled in track, breaking the school’s broad jump record and leading the track team to numerous victories. It was during these years that he earned the nickname “Pepper,” borrowed from St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Pepper Martin. The name stuck with him for much of his adult life. Baseball was a favorite pastime for Melber and a welcome distraction for many during the difficult years of the Great Depression and World War II.

After graduating from high school, Melber attended Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas, where he again distinguished himself in athletics, earning a varsity letter in track. Though naturally a little shy, he joined a fraternity in his junior year, where social gatherings, fundraisers, and formal dances with sororities were a big part of campus life. In the fall of his senior year, while sitting in the stands at a football game, Melber met Dolores Armitage—a fun, pretty sophomore who would later become his wife. Dolores, a Kansas farm girl who was thriving in college and enjoying her sorority life, was equally taken with him. The two began dating soon after and, a year later, became engaged following his graduation in May 1951.

With college behind him, Melber enlisted in the Navy and headed to boot camp in San Diego, California. After completing boot camp, he and Dolores married in April 1952. Their wedding in Lenexa, Kansas, was followed immediately by a move back to San Diego where Melber was stationed. Just three days after the ceremony, he reported for duty at North Island Naval Air Station.

The newlyweds settled into life together in San Diego. They worked hard, saved what they could, and, within three years, bought their first home—a small two-bedroom bungalow in the quaint neighborhood of North Park. As their family grew with the births of their children, Joni and Gary, they eventually moved into a larger home near Mission Valley, where they lived for the next 20 years.

During those years, travel adventures became a big part of their family life. They took many vacations—camping in Yellowstone, the Sequoias, and Yosemite, to name a few. There were road trips back to Kansas to visit relatives, often with sightseeing detours along the way. As their children grew older, Melber and Dolores traveled more widely, visiting Mexico, Alaska, South America, and Europe. They also enjoyed several cruises and many trips to Hawaii, their favorite vacation spot.

One of their greatest joys was being grandparents to their three granddaughters—Kelly, Brett and Caitlin. They loved every moment of it—from dedicated babysitters and countless chaotic birthday parties at ice rinks, roller rinks, petting zoos and Chuck E. Cheese’s… to soccer games and high school proms. They were there to celebrate every milestone.

Over the years, they built a strong and happy life together, enjoying each other’s company throughout 60 years of marriage. When Dolores passed away in 2012, the loss was profound, yet Melber remained devoted to her memory and to the family they had built together.

Melber will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather. Generous, loyal, and always supportive of others, he never sought the spotlight, yet his 96 years left a lasting mark on everyone who loved him.

His Burial will be held on August 4, 2025 Following the Celebration of Life at 2:15pm at Eternal Hills Memorial Park located at 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside, California.