Barry Lee Martin was born on March 27th, 1951 in San Francisco to Charlotte and Raymond Martin. He grew up in Castro Valley, California and lived there until his father suggested he join the Air Force to avoid being drafted into the Army during Vietnam.

Barry and his twin brother Brian entered the military together, where they both served as heavy equipment mechanics. Barry was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base before eventually transferring to Upper Heyford England where he met his wife Marion.

The two of them loved their time in Europe and traveled through different countries with basically nothing but each other, a motorcycle, and a tent.

When Barry’s enlistment was up, he came back home to California, and he and Marion were married on June 1st, 1974. Shortly after getting married, they moved to Livermore, where Barry started working for Vacuum Research Company in San Ramon.

On July 4th, 1977, their son Scott Benjamin Martin was born, and they bought their first home on Cedar Drive in Livermore, California. When Vacuum Research moved back east, Barry took a job with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he built a long career and eventually became a Maintenance Supervisor.

Barry loved understanding how things worked. machines, engines, systems if it had moving parts, he wanted to know how it functioned. And if something was worth doing, Barry believed it was worth doing right. That was just who he was.

In 1980, the family moved to Via Del Sol in Livermore, where they raised their son and built a life together. During those years Barry enjoyed spending time with friends, skiing up at Dodge Ridge, checking the PH and chlorine levels in his pool, and taking family vacations.

After 27 years at the lab, Barry retired and moved to Meridian to be closer to his family and grandkids. While living in Idaho, Barry found another place he loved at the Meridian Food Bank, where he volunteered his time, put his skills to work, and made a lot of dear friends along the way.

Some of Barry’s favorite sayings were “Who cares?” and “Don’t bother me,” usually delivered with perfect timing. He also thoroughly enjoyed doing whatever he could to playfully annoy his grandkids, which honestly may have been one of his favorite hobbies.

Barry loved acting like the tough guy, but everyone who really knew him knew the truth: underneath all that was a man with a very big heart who felt deeply and loved his family.

On May 15th, 2026, Barry passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Barry was preceded in death by many close family members and friends, including his mother Charlotte Martin and his father Benjamin Raymond Martin.

He is survived by his wife Marion Martin; his son Scott Martin; his daughter-in-law Jeanell Martin; and his grandchildren Trevor Martin, Erica Pesci-Martin, Macey Summers, Jaxon Summers, Tanner Martin, and Mylee Martin. His twin brother Brian Martin, his sister Sandra Love, his nephew Chad Martin and niece Amy Martin

He is also survived by baby boy Summers, arriving September 2026, and baby girl Martin, arriving November 2026.

It’s hard to picture this world without Barry in it ; Husband,Dad, Popie, the guy who wanted peace and quiet but somehow ended up surrounded by a big loud family that loved him like crazy. We’re grateful for the years, memories, lessons, and laughter we got to share with him.

If you feel inclined, please consider donating to the Meridian Food Bank in memory of Barry. It was an organization that Barry and Marion supported for many years and one that meant a great deal to him.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 11:00 am at Bowman Funeral Parlor located at 10254 W. Carlton Bay Garden City, Idaho 83714. Condolences may be left at www.bowmanfuneral.com