Gregory Wynant Martin, 75, of New Almaden, CA, passed away peacefully on July 27th after a brave and dignified battle with leukemia. He was surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born in Hollywood, California, to Vivian and Wynant Martin, Greg was an active, attentive, athletic, and engaging child. He loved playing baseball and basketball. He attended San Carlos High School, graduating in 1964. His older sister Terri tolerated him - perhaps at times even torturing him a little during their early years. They grew extremely close following college and Terri was one of his dearest friends. His parents adored him and he, them. Except for a month-long trip to Europe, he always lived nearby and spent a great deal of time with them.

Greg was fiercely passionate about running … and beer. When he began drinking beer is unclear, but he started running at age 30, ultimately completing 48 marathons and 5 ultramarathons. He liked to say he enjoyed a beer for every mile run—over 64,000 of both, or a dozen trips back and forth across the United States along with quite a few trips to the recycling facility. He loved sampling different microbrews in fabulous places, but his favorite remained Sierra Nevada. From 1976 – 1991 , Greg hosted his own friendly running race. Each year both the title and distance of the 15th Annual and Final Greg Martin Memorial Invitational Fall Scenic Select Dual Baker’s Dozen Plus 2 Low Key Distance Classic were extended, ostensibly to enjoy more beers.

Journalism and sports motivated Greg throughout high school. Once he arrived at San Jose State University, Greg changed his major to English and began work on the “great American novel.” He was the singer in a college band called Just Us Rock and Bop Band and played SJSU parties, including one notable evening when they opened for Big Brother and the Holding Company, whose lead vocalist at the time was some gal named Janis Joplin. Although Greg didn’t quite comprehend the magnitude of the moment at the time, it ended up being a favorite recollection of his.

Greg’s first gig out of SJSU was as a student teacher at Willow Glen High School. He freely admitted that he had no idea what he was doing during those initial years of his career. He moved to John Steinbeck Middle School for a short stint as a 7th grade teacher but then returned to Willow Glen. He coached basketball, cross country, and track, in addition to mock trial, for which he was honored after 26 years of service when he was inducted to the Santa Clara County Mock Trial Hall of Fame. Greg loved working with students and it was not uncommon to hear that he was their favorite teacher or coach. He taught for over 50 years. Although he never finished the great American novel, he did write and publish a book called Teaching, From the Inside Out, a non-fictional account of teaching in public schools in the Bay Area.

Although Greg touched the lives of so many students, it was his two children that meant the world to him. Greg was a loving, fun, dedicated and extremely proud father. He spent many hours cheering them on at the numerous athletic activities, teaching them to love the SF Giants, and how to live life passionately.

Greg was fortunate to have three amazing partners in his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Karen Vowles. He later married Laurel Doud and together they created a warm, stimulating, and inspiring home environment for their two remarkable children, Danner and Will.  He spent his remaining years with his longtime partner, Mary Tillman. Mary was his best friend and his rock during his battle with leukemia. She brought him the greatest joy during the best and the most difficult of times.

He loved and respected his son-in-law, Brian Mangold, his daughter-in-law, Claudia Caballero, Mary’s sons, Kevin and Richard, Tillman and Kevin’s wife, Kandi. He enjoyed sharing a lovely afternoon BBQing and drinking beer with Mary’s brother, Mike Spalding. He adored his gaggle of grandchildren (Kuiper, Chuuky, Lewyn, Evie, Greyson, Gus, and Jake), who all affectionately called him Gruffy. He spent most of his retirement coaching many mock trial teams, walking in Quicksilver Regional Park, playing chess, watching Giants games, playing in his fantasy baseball league, enjoying travel with Mary, and spending time with friends and family, especially his beloved sister, Terri and her husband, Eric. He recently returned to playing the guitar and loved harmonizing with all who would sit with him while he played. His love of books never wavered, and you could find him sitting in his favorite spot, enjoying his coffee, and petting his cat, Mr. B.

He was a beautiful, witty, kind, generous, strong, hardworking, sarcastic, passionate, and extremely engaging soul and as he liked to tease, an “astute observer of his time.” He is already missed, and his spirit will live on in all who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, Greg's wishes were to support the Santa Clara County Mock Trial program. For more information on this, click on “Give” tab to get more information:

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/gregory-martin/obituary/

Copy