Fred J. Martin Jr.

05/02/1932 - 02/21/2024

Fred J. Martin Jr., age 91, passed away in San Francisco on February 21, 2024, after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Shirlee Martin, to whom he was married for 70 years; and their children, Drew Martin (Christine) and Laurie Martin. He was predeceased by his parents, Fred Martin Sr. and Dorothy Alkire Martin; and his sister, ‘Pat’ Okimoto.

He is also survived by Pat’s husband, Fred Okimoto; their children, Jennifer (John Oshima), Jill, Paul (Summer), Eric (Stephanie); his grandnieces and grandnephews, Talia, Carolyn Rose, Preston, Henry, Isabella, Charlie, Teddy; his dear friend, Mary Claire Fitzgerald; her daughter, Telma, and his many cherished cousins and dear friends.

Fred was born on May 2, 1932, in Butte, Mont. His mother, whose family were Mont. pioneers, stopped her nursing career to care for him. Fred loved visiting his paternal grandfather, the Butte Fire Chief, at the firehouse. Fred’s father, a WWII Marine Officer and journalist, deeply involved in Mont. politics, served as Assistant to the Governor and owned and published the Park County News in Livingston, where Fred worked after school, developing his love of journalism and politics.

During high school, Fred met E. Palmer Hoyt, publisher of The Denver Post, an associate of Fred’s father. They shared an interest in fly fishing for trout in the Yellowstone River. Mr. Hoyt hired Fred as a night copyboy, and later cub reporter, while Fred attended Denver University. He met his future wife, Shirlee Shields, when he was a Junior. Fred took Shirlee to meet his parents and they were treated to dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. Fred graduated with a BA in history, from Denver University, in 1954, and completed R.O.T.C. and Army training in Ga., which led to his assignment as Infantry Lieutenant, 21st Regiment, 24th Division in Korea, on the D.M.Z., 1954-1955.

Fred returned to journalism in 1957, at the Associated Press as night editor in Portland, then as the state capital correspondent in Salem, Ore. He left A.P. to become a night copy editor at the San Francisco Examiner, in 1962. Fred’s front-page series on housing led the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce to recruit Fred. He became Urban Affairs Manager and later, also edited the Chamber’s magazine, San Francisco Business.

Active in politics, Fred worked with Bob Finch, Lieutenant Governor of Calif. and confidant of Richard Nixon. After Nixon’s election to President, in 1968, Fred was asked by the Nixon Administration to become Assistant Secretary for Press Affairs for health, education, and welfare but Fred declined and chose to remain in San Francisco.

Samuel Stewart, Chair of the Board of the Chamber and Vice Chair of Bank of America, recruited Fred to B. of A. as a Public Affairs Officer, in 1971. Fred, with his assistant, Sheila Radman, began successful careers at B. of A., which would continue through a succession of promotions for 22 years. As V.P. of Public Affairs, Fred built a department focused on grassroots organization. He 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.