Cover photo for Gary Martin's Obituary
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1953 Gary 2014

Gary Martin

October 5, 1953 — December 23, 2014

Gary passed away at home on December 23, 2014, at the age of 61. His tender heart and good humor will be missed by all who knew him over the years.

Gary was born in Bellflower, CA. He attended high school in Fountain Valley, CA and then went on to the University of California, Irvine graduating with a double major with a B.A. in Mathematics and B.S. in Computer Science. He pursued post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota, obtaining his Master's of Science degree in Mathematics in 1977. Upon Graduation he moved to Woodland, CA where he worked for the Woodland Center of Yuba College as a Mathematics and Data Processing Instructor for one year. From there he went on to UC Davis, teaching in the Learning Skills Center. From 1978- 1980 he lead workshops and counseled students to improve students' mathematical learning skills.

In 1980, his love of teaching and of Computer Science led him to Solano Community College in Fairfield, CA., where he was a Computer and Information Science Instructor from 1980-2010. In 1997, while at Solano Community College, he designed, planned and implemented the state-of-the-art network certification laboratory at Solano Community College. He continued to teach Computer Science and manage the Networking Laboratory. During this time, he also pursued the very difficult road to achieving Certification as both a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Microsoft Certified Professional Plus Internet, Microsoft Certified Engineer, Certified Novell Instructor, Certified Novell Administrator and Certified Novell Engineer. During his tenure, Gary also wrote and published two books: Turbo Pascal: Theory & Practice of Good Programming, 1992, which was used for several years by various college level institutions; and QBASIC, A Short Course in Structured Programming, 1994. He continued to teach Computer Science at Solano Community College until his retirement in 2010, after 33 years of dedication to a college level teaching profession.

Gary's interests outside of teaching included his great love of the outdoors and music. Every summer break he would explore various National Parks and mountain ranges. He enjoyed backpacking, camping and hiking. He also loved the ocean. He owned a home and property in Oregon along the coast. His love of the outdoors was only second to his love and gift in the world of music. Gary, was an accomplished musician with a laundry list of musical gifts and abilities - including, but not limited to - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, stand upright bass, harmonica and keyboards. He hosted many a music circle at his home during the 1980s and 1990s and loved attending bluegrass workshops and festivals. Just prior to his death, his interest was renewed in his love of Jazz guitar. He had been working on writing new jazz guitar music. He found great joy and company being surrounded by his music.

He leaves behind a family who will deeply miss him. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph and survived by his mother, Janet; his sisters Winona and Debra, his brother-in-law Jim, his Aunt Edla and several cousins.

A private family memorial will be held in Southern California, where his ashes will be scattered at sea. May his love of the ocean always be with him.


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