Anthony "Tony" Ross Martin

Anthony Ross Martin (Tony), born in Tacoma, Washington on June 21, 1967, was restored to glory at the age of 58 on September 8, 2025. He was surrounded by his beloved family at Kaweah Health Hospital in Visalia, CA.

Tony grew up in Gig Harbor, WA with his parents, Frank and Louanne Martin; his brother, Brian; and his sister, Marci. Tony overcame much struggle throughout his life and learned to do so by developing his fun-loving, infectious self and finding salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Tony grew to become the youngest manager of a KFC restaurant at the age of 18 where he was sent into restaurants that were struggling so he could turn them around and make them profitable. He later went to trade school for HVAC repair and eventually built a career in business and sales.

Tony met Kris Brokaw in church in Puyallup, WA. They fell in love very quickly, marrying 18 months later on October 3, 1992 when he was 25 years old. They had two daughters together.

Tony and Kris moved to Visalia in 2006. Together, they opened the Visalia Express Employment Professionals Franchise in 2007, Fresno East in 2012 and West in 2019. Through their business they have helped over 20,000 people find meaningful employment in the community. Each person who receives employment affects 4-5 others. So, they have helped to feed, clothe, and shelter close to 100,000 people.

Tony loved to spend time sitting and sharing things he had learned about life and business with others, looking to give them any tools he could to help them in their work, career, or life.

Tony was a fun-loving, kind person who was easy to warm up to. His smile was always contagious. He loved big and had a generous heart. Tony was a protector and fixer, always looking for ways to make things better, and he loved to talk about the deep things of God and life.

Tony was a fighter. He overcame incredible odds coming back from life or limb threatening illnesses time and time again. When most wouldn’t have made it, by the grace of God, Tony did. Hebrews 9:27 states that, “It is appointed for men to die once." Tony fought and stayed until his appointed time had fully arrived, never giving up early.

Tony is survived by his wife, Kris; his daughters, Katelynn and Kloe; his mother, Louanne; his father, Frank; and his sister, Marci (Martin) Bowles. He was preceded in death by his brother, Brian.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, September 25th at 1:00pm at Legacy Church, 3890 S. Lovers Lane in Visalia, CA. A brief reception will follow. The service will be live streamed on the website: https://legacy.cc/church-online/

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Visalia Rescue Mission.

Tributes and condolences may be made at Millerchapel.com

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291.