Martin Raymond Castro

Martin was adopted by Pauline Castro and Augustine Castro. He was one of 10 children in a small house in Bakersfield; a house built on unconditional love. He grew up learning the trades of his father and brothers and learning to cook for himself and others from his mother Pauline. He graduated high school and set out on his own; a long-haired indigenous kid with a guitar and a motorcycle, leaving his home for the Grand Canyon. There he met Gayle Brown, a young lady from his home town. They fell in love within days and were married on June 28th, 1974.

Martin and Gayle had 3 children: Samuel, Simon and Rachel. His sons both enlisted in the US Army and served their country honorably and well. All his children inherited his desire for learning and have pursued and attained professional and advanced degrees; seeking careers and leadership opportunities while forming families of their own.

Martin retired from two separate careers, one in accounting for Safeway and one in HR Management for AT&T, all while serving his community as a band leader in his local churches and as a scout master.

He and his wife Gayle provided leadership, compassion and mentorship to many men and women. As exemplars of unconditional love, they could often be found making extra food at meals for their children’s friends who did not want to or could not return to their homes, volunteering at church, at retirement homes or involved in political causes they believed in. He and Gayle built their house on love, service to community, and principle.

Martin passed into the arms of his Creator surrounded by family, prayer and music.

He is survived by his spouse of 51 years Gayle Castro, his children Sam, Simon and Rachel, his grandchildren Jonah, Julian and Leonardo, and his sisters Irene Soto and Juanita Lomas.