Stephen Ray Martin

Steve was born July 3, 1955 in Hemet, California to Elinor I. and Donald H. Martin. Steve was a theater enthusiast from an early age and pursued his passion with his undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and then went on to do his graduate work at San Diego State University.

One of his greatest professional accomplishments was to open the Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado, as technical director in 1982. Steve later served as the executive director until he left in 2005. He came to Salem to helm the Historic Elsinore Theatre from 2005-2016.

He was an active member of Rotary International in both Colorado Springs and Salem. He also was a member of the International Association of Auditorium Managers and in support of his daughter was an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America.

He married Christina Zala in 1982 and they recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. He has one daughter, Allison Catherine Martin-Fong, who lives in New York City with her husband Yik Lun Fong.

Steve enjoyed cooking for his family and friends and trying out new recipes. In his retirement, Steve enjoyed nothing more than spending time on the golf course or drinking wine and sketching the beautiful scenery at his favorite wineries across the Willamette Valley.

He is survived by his wife Christina; his daughter Allison and son-in-law Yik Lun; his parents Elinor and Donald of Salem, Oregon; and his brother and sister-in-law Wayne and Nancy Martin of Onalaska, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Marion Polk Food Share. Condolences and memories can be left through the Virgil T. Golden Funeral Services website at Dignitymemorial.com

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.