Charles Emory Martin

Charles “Chuck” Emory Martin was born on September 4, 1941 to Emory Banks Martin and Louise Allen Martin and grew up in Milledgeville, Georgia with his younger sister, Gloria Martin Pearce. He was known for his kindness and sense of humor, traits he carried with him through his battle with cancer and that his loved ones will always remember him by. At the time of his passing, he lived in Ontario, California.

Chuck was a man of many interests and talents, from science and astronomy to singing and acting. He was always proud of the reflecting telescope he built himself in high school–and for which he won second prize in the science contest!–and developed a love for singing while attending church with his parents through his childhood. He graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA in 1965 with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering and was active in band, the glee club, and the sailing club. He also performed as a saxophonist in the band Six Kix and a tenor vocalist in the group the “Miss Atlanta Show”.

Following his graduation, he moved to Seattle, WA where he lived for seven years before settling in California for the remainder of his life. He developed a career in data warehousing for 20 years before returning to school in 1988 to take acting classes. It was there that he met his third wife and love of his life, Sharon Lois Hunt Martin. They were married on March 24, 1990 in Whittier, CA and had three children whom he is survived by: Alyssa, Rachel, and Krysten Martin.

Chuck had a great love for film and television across multiple genres: Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, The West Wing, M.A.S.H., Blazing Saddles, AFV, and all things Disney to name a few. His favorite music was also similarly diverse, including artists such as John Williams, Jethro Tull, Susan Boyle and Loreena McKennitt. And when the holidays rolled around, everyone knew Manheim Steamroller, Trans Siberian Orchestra, and Straight No Chaser were sure to make an appearance. In line with his love of space, he was an avid reader of sci-fi novels including Dune, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and anything by John Scalzi (Old Man’s War) or Jack Campbell (The Sister Paradox).

He was an active member in Hillside Community Church for many years, supporting their sound team in the early 2000’s and continued to faithfully attend virtually when his health prevented him from going in person.

His children, now adults, will always remember how he inspired their curiosity for science and passion for the arts. He also fostered their love for learning, teaching them to read through his role as Sam the Lion in the show Read Now, and continuing to encourage and support their studies as they grew into adulthood. He will be dearly missed, but he is now reunited with his beloved wife Sharon in heaven and no longer suffering the pain of cancer.

The family asks that attendees wear colors as opposed to black in order to celebrate the life of Chuck, instead of mourning his loss. If you are unable to attend in person, the family intends to livestream the service and will provide a link when that is set up.

Lastly, the Martins welcome flowers, but also ask friends and family to consider contributing to his GoFundMe to help cover the costs of his funeral and management of his affairs (https://gofund.me/8d521043a). A QR code will also be provided at the service. If you would like to contribute directly instead of through the GoFundMe, please contact any of his three daughters directly. The family appreciates your support during this difficult time.