Fred J. Martin Jr.

05/02/1932 - 02/21/2024

Fred J. Martin Jr., age 91, he was a Junior. Fred took passed away in San Francisco Shirlee to meet his parents on February 21, 2024, after and they were treated to a battle with cancer. He is dinner at the Governor’s survived by his wife, Shirlee Mansion. Fred graduated with Martin, to whom he was a BA in history, from Denver married for 70 years; and University, in 1954, and their children, Drew Martin completed R.O.T.C. and Army (Christine) and Laurie Martin. training in Ga., which led to He was predeceased by his his assignment as Infantry parents, Fred Martin Sr. and Lieutenant, 21st Regiment, Dorothy Alkire Martin; and 24th Division in Korea, on the his sister, ‘Pat’ Okimoto. D.M.Z., 1954-1955.

He is also survived by Pat’s Fred returned to journalism husband, Fred Okimoto; in 1957, at the Associated their children, Jennifer (John Press as night editor in Portland, Oshima), Jill, Paul (Summer), then as the state capital Eric (Stephanie); his grandnieces correspondent in Salem, and grandnephews, Ore. He left A.P. to become a Talia, Carolyn Rose, Preston, night copy editor at the San Henry, Isabella, Charlie, Francisco Examiner, in 1962. Teddy; his dear friend, Fred’s front-page series on

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Mary Claire Fitzgerald; her housing led the San Francisco daughter, Telma, and his Chamber of Commerce to many cherished cousins and recruit Fred. He became dear friends. Urban Affairs Manager and

Fred was born on May 2, later, also edited the Chamber’s 1932, in Butte, Mont. His magazine, San Francisco mother, whose family were Business.

Mont. pioneers, stopped her Active in politics, Fred nursing career to care for him. worked with Bob Finch, Lieutenant Fred loved visiting his paternal Governor of Calif. and grandfather, the Butte confidant of Richard Nixon. Fire Chief, at the firehouse. After Nixon’s election to Fred’s father, a WWII Marine President, in 1968, Fred was Officer and journalist, deeply asked by the Nixon Administration involved in Mont. politics, to become Assistant served as Assistant to the Secretary for Press Affairs for Governor and owned and health, education, and welfare published the Park County but Fred declined and chose News in Livingston, where to remain in San Francisco. Fred worked after school, Samuel Stewart, Chair of developing his love of journalism the Board of the Chamber and politics. and Vice Chair of Bank of

During high school, Fred America, recruited Fred to met E. Palmer Hoyt, publisher B. of A. as a Public Affairs of The Denver Post, Officer, in 1971. Fred, with an associate of Fred’s father. his assistant, Sheila Radman, They shared an interest in began successful careers at B. fly fishing for trout in the of A., which would continue Yellowstone River. Mr. Hoyt through a succession of promotions hired Fred as a night copyboy, for 22 years. As V.P. and later cub reporter, of Public Affairs, Fred built while Fred attended Denver a department focused on University. He met his future grassroots organization. He wife, Shirlee Shields, when reported to top bank executives and was a confidant of longtime C.E.O., A.W. ‘Tom’ Clausen. Fred directed public outreach and easily made friends during runs with his runners’ group. He connected with elected officials through his daily jogs, including Jerry Brown, then Calif. Governor. At Brown’s request, in 1982, Fred led a trade mission to China on behalf of the State of Calif., the City of San Francisco, and B. of A. Shirlee recalls a highlight, a private lunch with the Mayor of Shanghai. After four years in Wash., D.C., Fred became Sr. V.P. and Director of Government Relations. He worked to deregulate the banking industry, reduce oversight, and end usury laws that limited interest rates. Fred retired from B. of A. at 61.

Upon retirement, Fred continued his pursuit of knowledge as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Calif., Berkeley, where he wrote “The Lost Chapter in Korean History, Evolving Democracy, and an Opportunity for Peace and Security in the North Pacific”. In 2013, he selfpublished his book “Abraham Lincoln’s Path to Reelection in 1864: Our Greatest Victory.” He served two terms as President and continued as a Director of the Abraham Lincoln Institute, a group that fosters current scholarship on Abraham Lincoln.

Fred remained active throughout his life in the Episcopal Church. He attended Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, Calif., 1961-62. He will be prayed for at a chapel service of Intercessions at Wash. National Cathedral. Fred will be remembered, along with other deceased, in November during their four Wash. National Cathedral Sunday Holy Eucharist services, November, 3, 10, 17, and 24, at 8:00 a.m., pacific, 11:00 a.m., eastern, during the prayers for the departed. Fred’s ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of Marin County, Calif., and a portion will be carried to Mont., by his family.

To honor his memory, please send donations to Wash. National Cathedral (cathedral.org-tribute) Book of Remembrance tribute, in memory of Fred J. Martin, Jr., 3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Wash., D.C. 20016, or please consider a contribution to National Public Radio (npr.org) or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences and contact information may be shared with the family through Drew Martin, at DMandCH@aol. com, 720 Lucerne Ave., Unit 1396, Lake Worth Beach, Fla. 33460.