Gregory D Martin

We could say a lot about who he was, a skilled woodworker, a guitar builder, a lover of the outdoors, but most of all, he was simply ours. A devoted husband to our mom, Charlene. A steady, loving father to us, Andrew and Erica. A proud grandfather to Haley. A loyal brother to Jeffrey. The kind of man who showed up, quietly and consistently, with love and patience and strength. He was a devout Christian who believed that when his spirit departed this earth, he would be in the joyful presence of God.

Dad was born in Painesville, Ohio in 1952 and moved with his family to Southern California when he was 9 years old, where he fell in love with the coast, with camping, with the rhythm of nature and, eventually, with Mom. They got married in 1973 and were partners in the truest sense, for over five decades. Together, they built a life full of meaning and memories.

He worked for years alongside his own dad, crafting cabinetry for boats. Later, he turned his attention to making guitars under the name Redtail Guitars. He never played guitar himself, but he poured his heart into each one, knowing they’d be brought to life through music by his son Andrew.

Some of our favorite memories with him are the quiet ones: fishing trips, road trips through Colorado, sitting around a campfire, working with him in his shop. He had this way of making you feel calm and safe, just by being there.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral service. Instead, in his final days, we gathered close and laughed, told stories, cried, and just soaked up every moment, celebrating his life with him while he was still here to feel it. Haley played Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem on her clarinet, which he enjoyed. It was a beautiful moment.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ruth Martin. But his presence is still all around us, in the things he made, the values he passed on, and the love he gave so freely.

We miss him deeply. But we’re also so grateful for who he was, for the life he lived, and for every moment we had with him.