Ted Martin was born on May 24, 1938 in McGill, Nevada, and passed away on Aug. 23, 2025.
Ted remained positive and upbeat throughout the entire time he battled cancer. Everyone at the hospital wanted to be his doctor or nurse because he brightened their day.
Ted and his wife Cynthia were married 64 happy years, calling one another “dear” every day while enjoying life to the fullest in their home on the Riviera in Santa Barbara, which was always filled with family, friends and celebrations.
Ted and Cynthia joyously parented many cats who always made them laugh.
Ted and his sister Artis Chamberlin were devoted to each other, sparring constantly with jokes and enjoying all their many times together.
Ted was predeceased by his parents James and Mary, and his siblings Nick, Emily and Sophia. His nieces, who were like daughters to him, are Nicolette Martin Van Winkle, Jamie Chamberlin Granner, Kristi Frank, and Kerri Keslow.
Ted also leaves behind his sister-in-law and traveling buddy Carolyn Frank.
In his younger years, Ted was hands-on help to his father and brother, working at their Busy Bee Cafe.
Ted earned a masters degree in Spanish literature from UCSB, then started a long career in teaching. He was a Pied Piper to his students during the 45 years he taught Spanish and French at La Colina Jr. High School in Santa Barbara.
As a committed teacher, Ted gave all his students and their parents his home telephone number should they need his help with anything academically or personally.
He remained everyone’s cheerleader, celebrating even their smallest accomplishments.
Ted shared pictures of his travels with his students, and he was known on campus for his schoolwide slide shows taken of students throughout each year.
During the 1960s Ted was awarded a Fullbright grant and taught at the University of Thessaloniki in northern Greece.
Ted’s favorite word was “wonderful,” which he said when asked by Cynthia how he was feeling on his last day of life.
Throughout their lives together, Ted and Cynthia were avid bicyclists until two years ago. Their wedding anniversary ritual was to ride from Ventura up the bike trail to Ojai, have lunch, then coast back.
Ted was proud of his Greek heritage and enthusiastically greeted everyone with “Opa” while working at their festivals.
He was the treasurer for the Santa Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Order of Ahepa Chapter 243.
The traits Ted exhibited endeared him to people from all walks of life. He especially delighted in surprising strangers by speaking their language as he fluently spoke four languages.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15 at Santa Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 1205 San Antonio Creek Road.
The family wishes to especially thank Father Bob Fox, the VNA, oncologist Dr. Mohammed Isaac Abu Zaanona, as well as the wonderful nurses and caregivers who looked after Ted.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ted’s name to the Santa Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Education Fund, 1205 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara, 93105, or to Serenity House, 930 Miramonte Drive, Santa Barbara, CA, 93109.