Gary Lange Martin

Gary Lange Martin was born on January 11, 1946, in Salem, Oregon, to Claude and Loretta Martin, beginning a life that would be defined by an unwavering devotion to music, education, and community service. Growing up in the mid-Willamette Valley during the post-World War II era, Gary was raised in a household that clearly valued cultural development and education, setting the foundation for his lifelong passion for jazz music and teaching.

Gary's musical talents became evident during his years at South Salem High School, where he graduated in 1964. His involvement in the school's music program was substantial—he participated in Tri-M, the national music honor society, during his sophomore and junior years, and was an active member of Future Teachers of America for three years. These early experiences foreshadowed a career path that would combine his love of music with his calling to educate and inspire others. He also participated in golf during his freshman year, beginning what would become a lifelong passion for the sport.

Following high school, Gary pursued his musical education at Oregon Teachers College in Monmouth, Oregon, where he earned a Music Education degree in 1968. The institution, later known as Western Oregon University, provided him with comprehensive training in music theory, performance, and pedagogy that would serve him throughout his career. His studies prepared him not only to perform music but to teach and inspire the next generation of musicians.

In 1968, Gary enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years as a member of the Air Force Band stationed at McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma, Washington. As a versatile multi-instrumentalist, he demonstrated his proficiency on saxophone, clarinet, and flute, bringing his musical talents to military ceremonies, public concerts, and community events. One of the most meaningful aspects of his military service was visiting veterans recovering in hospitals, providing the healing power of music to those who had sacrificed in service to their country. This humanitarian dimension of his service reflected values of compassion and community support that would characterize his entire life.

After completing his military service in 1972, Gary transitioned to a career in financial services, a field that would provide his primary livelihood for nearly five decades. While the demands of his professional career required numerous relocations throughout the United States, Gary never abandoned his musical passions. Instead, he found creative ways to continue contributing to musical communities wherever he lived.

In 1994, Gary married Suzi (Sue) Martin, his soulmate and life partner. Their thirty-one-year marriage was characterized by mutual support in every aspect of their lives, as they both pursued careers in financial services that required frequent relocations across the country. The couple's shared values and complementary goals created a partnership that thrived despite the challenges of geographic mobility and career demands.

During their residence in Dayton, Ohio, Gary founded a sixteen-piece big band in 2009, demonstrating his commitment to musical entrepreneurship and community leadership even while maintaining his full-time career. The ensemble he created achieved remarkable longevity and institutional stability, continuing to perform "phenomenal music" even after Gary's departure from Dayton. This accomplishment reflected his ability to build sustainable musical organizations that could thrive beyond his direct involvement.

Perhaps Gary's most extensively documented volunteer contribution came during the couple's residence in Mill Creek, Washington, where he dedicated himself to the Jackson High School Jazz program. The program, one of the most comprehensive jazz education initiatives in the Pacific Northwest, features four distinct jazz bands serving over eighty students who participate in instrumental jazz study. Gary's commitment was extraordinary—he volunteered with the program "even if it meant being there at 6 AM every day," demonstrating unwavering dedication regardless of weather, personal circumstances, or other challenges. The program's early morning rehearsal schedule, beginning at 6:30 AM, required a level of commitment that Gary embraced wholeheartedly.

The Jackson High School Jazz program had achieved national recognition, with performances ranging from community events to Carnegie Hall in New York. The students Gary worked with participated in prestigious festivals and competitions throughout the region, and the school hosted the annual Mill Creek Jazz Festival, bringing together jazz bands from across the Pacific Northwest. Gary's volunteer work filled him with "such incredible joy and pride" as he witnessed young musicians' growth and development. This profound satisfaction derived from educational mentorship became one of the defining elements of his later life.

Throughout his life, Gary maintained an impressive collection of jazz and big-band charts, which he traded with fellow musicians around the globe. His expertise in jazz music was encyclopedic—he "could be counted on to know the name and the arranger of most jazz music," reflecting decades of passionate study and engagement with the genre. This deep knowledge, combined with his practical experience as a performer and educator, made him a valued resource within jazz communities.

Beyond music, Gary and Sue cultivated a rich lifestyle that included golf, pilates, wine collecting, and the enjoyment of fine food—pursuits that "filled his soul". Golf remained a constant throughout his life, from his high school days through retirement, providing both recreation and social connection. His interest in pilates reflected attention to physical conditioning and health maintenance that enabled him to remain active well into his later years.

In 2019, Gary and Sue retired to Scottsdale, Arizona, a decision that aligned perfectly with their shared passion for golf and desire for year-round playing conditions. Retirement did not mean withdrawal from active engagement with the world; instead, it represented an expansion of their horizons. During their final six years together, the couple embarked on extraordinary travels that encompassed six continents and countless countries, demonstrating remarkable adventurous spirit and physical resilience even in their late seventies and early eighties.

Gary's family relationships provided deep meaning to his later years. His daughter, Darci (Martin) Steranko, had preceded him in death, leaving behind her husband Jim Steranko and son Nickolas. Gary's fifteen-year-old grandson Nickolas became "the light of his life," and the family noted the striking physical resemblance between grandfather and grandson, with Nickolas looking "exactly like Papa did when he was Nick's age". This intergenerational connection provided continuity and hope, linking Gary's legacy to the future through his beloved grandson.

Gary Lange Martin passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, with his loving wife Sue holding his hand. His death in Scottsdale, Arizona, ended eighty years of life lived to its fullest, surrounded by family and friends who recognized him as someone who could "be counted on to fill a room with his smile and genuine love for others". He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Loretta Martin, and his daughter Darci, and is survived by his wife of thirty-one years, Sue, his grandson Nickolas, and his son-in-law Jim.

The family's request that memorial contributions be directed to the Jackson High School Jazz program rather than flowers speaks volumes about what brought Gary the greatest joy in his final years. As the obituary noted, "It brought him such incredible joy to be involved in igniting the love of jazz in high school students," ensuring that his passion for music education would continue to benefit future generations of young musicians. Gary Martin's legacy lives on not only in the memories of those who knew him but in the countless young musicians whose lives he touched through his dedication, expertise, and genuine love for sharing the gift of music.