Alfred Runar Martinson

Fred was the kind of man you don't forget. Steady, hardworking, and genuine to his core. He came from humble beginnings, answered his country's call as a Navy Corpsman with pride, and built a life rooted in integrity, determination, and love for the people around him. When he gave you his word, it was all you needed. He did what needed doing, took pride in his work, and let his actions speak for him. The people around him always knew where they stood.

A cowboy at heart, Fred loved the open land and the ranch life. But his spirit reached far beyond the pasture. He rode Harleys, explored the ocean through SCUBA diving, and even soared through the sky in a glider for the pure joy of it. He was always up for an adventure.

He was a gifted woodworker and carpenter who sketched his designs first with a pencil. In his later years, he walked into a YMCA art class, started painting the birds and flowers he loved, made a room full of new friends, and never looked back. He loved to birdwatch, photograph the land and the people he cared about, and sit down to a plate of fried chicken, a peach cobbler done right, or a key lime pie made just the way he liked it. Those simple moments, shared with the people he loved, meant the world to him.

Above all else, his grandchildren held a special place in his heart.

It was a good, long ride, and now his spirit is free to drift on the wind.