Fred Lee Martin

VICTOR - Fred Lee Martin, of Victor, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016, at his home. He was one day shy of his 69th birthday.

Fred was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on July 29, 1947- not long after the Roswell UFO incident in New Mexico. The coincidence remains a mystery. His parents were Clara “Naomi” Gore and Elber Franklin Orbison.

He lived in Kansas until after kindergarten, when his parents moved to Colorado. He grew up in Colorado and graduated high school in Colorado Springs in 1965. Over the next 9 years, Fred married and had a daughter, Kim, and a son, Marc. In 1976, Fred divorced and moved to Montana with his two children and his mother. They settled in the Bitterroot and he soon took a job as a mechanic at the Victor Gas Station. There, he bided his time until he met the love of his life, Connie, in 1981. After being introduced by the world’s most mischievous matchmaker under the guise of having her car repaired, they had a whirlwind 2 month courtship and married October 31, 1981. As soon as he said “I do”, he acquired four more children.

Over the next several years, Fred and Connie built their home and family, and he built his shop, Victor Repair. It thrived for many years since it was operated by the valley’s best mechanic. Eventually Fred decided turning wrenches wasn’t as fun anymore and turned to managing auto parts stores including Stevi Napa and Stevi Carquest. He also worked as the Outside Sales Manager at Parts Plus in Missoula, and as a mechanic again in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Finally at the age of 55, he decided what he wanted to be when he grew up and became a locksmith. He apprenticed at Peirce Lock and Safe, where he also worked with Connie.

After apprenticing for a couple of years, he and Connie started their own locksmith business, Martin Lock & Key. He greatly enjoyed being a knight in shining armor for several years, right up until just a couple weeks before he passed. Being self-employed suited him well; breakfast and cribbage with Connie, work with Connie, lunch with Connie, afternoon nap and TV with Connie, dinner with Connie, and then flight simulator games on the computer until bedtime.

In his free time, Fred enjoyed fishing, building intricate wood models, exploring with Connie, watching movies, telling stories, panning for gold, tinkering, and shooting. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, a member of Montana Locksmiths Association, a licensed small aircraft pilot, and an excellent teacher- of all kinds of things. In his last months, he was particularly proud to pass his locksmith knowledge on to his son-in-law, Charles, and know what he built will continue on as he sold the business to him just before he passed. Fred was also an accomplished cookie monster, proclaiming to anyone that asked that he only like 3 kinds of cookies- hot, cold, and raw.

As a man, Fred was kind, compassionate, and generous. As a husband, he was loving, accepting, and supportive. As a dad, he was giving, fun (and funny),  and patient. He was always up for a good joke or prank, and quick with wit. He didn’t like to give advice, but when asked for it, he was fair and knowledgeable. He gave the best and most healing hugs. Fred was often mistaken for Santa Claus, much to his joy. His passing leaves a void that memories can barely fill.

Fred is survived by his six children: Sheri (Dan) Kern of Michigan, Rod (Rocio) Williams of Corvallis, Jardi (Mark) Nordby of Missoula, Kimberly Martin of Washington, Marc Martin of Washington, and Adrienne (Charles) Patterson of Victor. He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Connie, and his parents, Naomi and Elber.

Per Fred’s wishes, there won’t be a funeral service. However, his and Connie’s ashes will be mixed and interred on their wedding anniversary in a private family gathering.

Fred’s family would like to thank Marcus Day Hospice for their excellent and gentle care. They would also like to thank Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel for their compassion and kindness in the handling of arrangements.

As a final thought, we leave you with Fred’s favorite saying: “You have to grow older. No one ever said you have to grow up.”