Walter Martin

Walter often shared fond childhood memories of growing up in Arizona. He loved watching his dad compete in rodeos riding Brahma bulls, eating his Aunt Jessie's great cooking, and working on the cattle ranch with his dad and Uncle Caleb during the summers. This is also where he gained his love of rib sticking breakfasts! Wherever he lived, Walter enjoyed playing with his siblings and kids of all races. In his own words, he “kept getting into mischief all the time”. He earned the name “Peaches,” as throwing them was his only defense when getting into neighborhood shenanigans.

Life was not all play for Walter, he learned responsibility at an early age. By age 10, he could drive his stepmother, Eunice, to the store and to the doctor’s office. He once reflected, “My father had an unusual amount of faith in me for some reason.” His father taught him to work hard at everything he did and to be honest in his dealings with others.

During his school years, Walter participated in sports and band where he excelled at both. These extracurricular activities allowed him opportunities to travel and gain new experiences. However, it also gave him firsthand knowledge that we lived in a divided world of racial prejudice. In spite of this, Walter always extended his hand to anyone he met.

After Walter graduated from Eastern Arizona Junior College, he moved to California. Among his possessions was a family heirloom, in the form of a plaque. Walter’s father had given it to him when he was 17 years old. Engraved on this plaque was a poem about the importance of being a man of integrity. Those poetic words handed down from his father would become the driving force behind Walter’s tenacity to become such a man. In 1972, he moved to San Diego. He continued his career as an air traffic controller. Walter was also determined to make a fortune for himself, so he began to take an interest in the real estate market.

However, his priorities were about to change.Through his study of the Bible, with Jehovah's Witnesses, Walter learned that the Father, “to whom every family in heaven and on earth owes its name,” has a personal name, Jehovah.—Ephesians 3:15. After reading Psalm 83:18 and seeing God’s name in the Bible for the first time, he exclaimed, “I knew it! I knew he had a name!”

What appealed to Walter the most was what he observed at a convention of Jehovah's Witnesses held at Dodger Stadium. The kindness shown to him and his children and the unity that he observed among the races impressed him. This was the unity that he longed for all his life. What he found made him complete. Walter had found what was missing in his life.

Walter now endeavored to not only live up to the Martin name, but to make a name with his Creator. On July 6, 1974, he dedicated his life to Jehovah God, through water baptism. From that point on, he worked hard to share precious Bible truths with anyone who was willing to listen. This was his passion, which did not exclude his family, it was his way of giving his best to those he loved.

He continued to do this alongside his wife of 37 years, Regina. Joy, Jonathan, and Candace were born through this union. They were three beautiful additions to the Martin clan, which included Walter’s older children, Brian, Darrell, Cyndi, Lisa, Stacy, and Todd. All of his precious sons and daughters were beloved to him.

Walter served as an elder in his congregation and regularly shared his extensive research by giving dynamic Bible discourses. After working for the FAA for 33 years, Walter retired and decided to dedicate more time to the worldwide Bible educational work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He did this by spending his time as a full-time minister. In 2012, he attended the Pioneer Service School along with his wife, Regina. Together they aided many to come to have a personal friendship with God. Walter also used his retirement years by being involved with the Patient Visitation Group where he and Regina would provide spiritual encouragement to fellow Witnesses who were hospitalized. Together they brought comfort to those in need and made lifelong friends.

In 2013, Walter’s beloved Regina fell asleep in death. Even as a widow he wanted to expand his ministry. Later, Walter met Tess, who helped him do just that! She became his new complement and together they traveled the world. In true Martin fashion, Walter embraced Tess' children, Leona and Lot, as his own. Tess introduced him to a new field of activity, preaching in a foreign language! This included learning Tagalog, supporting the Tagalog congregation, and using technology in the Tagalog ministry. Loved by his new congregation, Walter was lovingly referred to as Lolo, which means “grandpa” in Tagalog.

As we reflect back on his life, Walter truly lived up to the Martin name. He loved his family and worked hard to take care of them. He strived to be a friend to all and to be honest. His father would have been proud. Most importantly, Walter Martin, lived his life to please his heavenly Father, Jehovah. He did so in a way that made his name come to be written in the book life. He did it with integrity.—Malachi 3:16. He looked forward to a future time when he will return to life on an earthly paradise. A time when he will be able to live forever with his beloved family and friends and maybe even ride a Brahma bull along with his dad.

A memorial service for Walter will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 1:30 PM at Glen Abbey Magnolia Room, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, California 91902. Doors will open at 1:00 PM for family and close friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Martin family.