Tony "T.R." Martin

Tony “T.R.” Martin passed away peacefully on March 9, 2022, in Kaiser Hospital, Vacaville, surrounded by his family.  He was a Winters resident for his entire life, having been born at his aunt’s house on Baker Street, August 6, 1934 to Emilio G. Martin and Frances Ramon Martin. He was a descendent of the Spanish Hawaiian immigration to California at the turn of the 20^th century.

Tony attended public schools in the Winters area and graduated from Winters High School in the Class of 1952.  Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy Reserves. Later he continued his education with classes at University of California Davis, as well as began to farm as a young man with many of his family members who had farmed in the Winters area for decades.  Thus began his continuous education in his life-long career, farming.

Family was important to Tony.  He married his friend and sweetheart, Dorothy Watterson in 1953 and they began a family, having four children.  They lived near both sets of parents, siblings and a very large extended family in Winters and surrounding areas. Nearly every Sunday and holidays were spent visiting family as well as enjoying meals and celebrations together. Over the years, he was committed to keeping the family connected through calls to family members, organizing family reunions and “cousin” lunches. He was always open to fun and socializing.

Tony loved being in nature.  He was always outdoors, and loved “being his own boss”, whether working and managing the farm, helping others with their harvests, planting a garden, hunting and fishing or relaxing from time to time at Dillon Beach or Lake Tahoe.  Tony and Dorothy have traveled extensively. “He was born in Winters, traveled the world, always to return home to Winters.”

Over the years, he was active in many community and agricultural organizations including Winters Unified School Board, Pioneer Presbyterian Church, Freemasons, Winters FFA, Farm Home Administration, Peach Association, Apricot Association, Valley Farmer’s Co-op, Valley Almond Growers, Royal Dryers and American Angus Association.

Tony is survived by his wife, Dorothy Martin; his daughters, Jennifer Martin, Elizabeth Colombo (Michael), and Susan Martin(Keith Miller) and his son, Sam Martin; grandchildren, Erin Villalobos, John Carbahal (Holly), Kelsey Villalobos, Ryan Carbahal, Anthony Colombo (Marine), Dylan Martin and Olivia Colombo; great grandchildren, Jordyn Villalobos, Skylar Villalobos and Christopher Carbahal; sister, Pearl Hansen and families; sister, Elena Cody and brother-in-law Mack Cody and families, plus numerous aunts and cousins.