MARTIN, Christopher Ancil (Tuna)

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Sunday, March 9, 2003 Christopher Ancil (Tuna) Martin passed away at his vacation home near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on February 22, 2003. The former resident of Tempe and Human Resources Manager for the Maricopa County Juvenile Court Center (prior to his retirement in 2000) died suddenly of a heart attack the day before his 56th birthday. He is survived by Patrice Caldwell, his wife of more than 20 years, and two children from a previous marriage: Alyssa Marie Martin, 28, of Hotchkiss, CO, and Timothy Ancil Martin, 26, of New York City. Other surviving family include ex-wife, Carol Martin, of San Diego; step-mother, Christine (Chris) Scott Martin, of Phoenix; sister, Laurie Minger, and her children, Kristen, Jill and John Martin Minger; along with brother, Gary Martin, sister-in-law, Pam Willson, and niece, Shasta Willson. A third-generation Arizonan, Chris was preceded in death by this parents, Thurlow Ancil (T.A.) Martin and Betty Ann Addington Martin Talla Krepper. His family has a rich history in the Valley, dating back to Arizona's territorial days. His great-grandfather, Dr. Ancil E. Martin, was the first eye doctor in Territorial Arizona, practicing from 1892 until his death in 1926, while his great-grandmother, Miriam Talbot Martin, was the daughter Mr. and Mrs. Walter Talbot. A former hardware store owner, Walter Talbot was elected mayor of Phoenix in 1900. Other ancestors who contributed greatly to Phoenix history included: Paternal Grandfather Walter T. Martin, Sr., a former president of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce; and Will Barnes (brother-in-law of Mariam Talbot Martin), who won the Congressional Medal of Honor while serving in the Indian wars at Fort Apache and is honored by a plaque still standing at the foot of Barnes Butte in Papago Park. A graduate of Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Chris earned his a Psychology degree from Stanford University. He was active until his death, enjoying a retirement filled with golf, days on the beach, visits with family and friends, and work as a community volunteer, course marshall at Marina Vallarta Golf Course, and keeper of the Leader Board for 2000 EMC World Cup of Golf. A memorial celebration of his life was held at sunseton the beach on March 1. The family thanks their friends and family for their remembrances, notes, calls and emails, including those describing Chris as "a loving father who raised caring and committed kids" and "a gracious giant of a man in spirit, personality and intellect". In his memory, donations can be made to any anti-war/peace organization or to a charity of your choice. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.