Robert J. Martin

Robert J. Martin, age 73, of Rogue River, had a massive stroke on Tuesday, October 23rd, and passed away on Thursday, October 25, 2012 in Medford.

Robert Joe Martin was born in Pleasanton, Kansas on April 7, 1939 to Paul H. Martin and Leta Belle Gammon Martin, the second of five children including brother’s Bill, Jim and Ron, and sister Judy. The family moved from Kansas to California in 1950 and then to Medford in 1955. After graduating from Medford Senior High School, he joined the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Saratoga and then became an airship crewman at Lakehurst, NJ.

In 1960 he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara McCormick, and they had two sons, Daniel Martin of Tennessee and David Martin of Springfield, Oregon. In 1998, he and Barbara divorced. He then met and married Andrea Fuller who preceded Robert in death in 2006. The two of them were totally dedicated to each other.

Robert spent his entire working life in some type of law enforcement, mostly for the U.S. Forest Service investigating arson, timber theft, marijuana production, civil disorder, earth first, murder, and accident investigation. He graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in 1984. He was also a Special Deputy for Josephine, Jackson, Coos and Del Norte counties. He retired in 1994 and enjoyed restoring classic cars until his physical disabilities and severe back pain prevented those activities. He rebuilt a 1957 Ford convertible which was a car show winner several times.

In 1999, he and Andrea joined the Valley Rogue Christian Center which they both loved dearly. Robert was a truly giving person who would give you the shirt off his back with nothing expected in return.

In November, 2011, he married Theresa Tesseneer. They shared the last year of his life, in love like first time sweethearts. Robert was blessed as he had a wife and step-daughter, Vanessah Mimms, to love until he passed.

Robert is survived by his wife, Theresa, stepdaughter Vanessah and stepson Roland; brothers James Martin of Dubuque, Iowa, and Ronald Martin of Grants Pass; sister Judy Case of Hillsboro, Oregon; his sons Daniel and David; grand-daughters Jennifer of Las Vegas, Nevada; Samantha, Megan and Hailey of Springfield, and twin great grand-daughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife, Andrea, and his older brother Bill.

Robert sincerely loved live and enjoyed the short time he was allowed to walk hand in hand with his Lord. Now he is walking arm in arm.

A service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Valley Rogue Christian Center, 526 E Main Street, Rogue River. After the service, his sister and her children, Konnie and Ken, will carry his ashes to be spread by the Rogue River, giving Bob one last ride in his beloved 1957 Ford Fairlane convertible. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.