Randall Martin Obituary

Randy Lee Martin, 62, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away on June 23, 2025. He was born on October 24, 1962, in Blue Island, Illinois.

He is survived by his daughters, Erica Martin (Laylee Safa) and Melanie R Martin, as well as their mother, Maria Loya. He also leaves behind his sister, Shelly (Brian) Henson of Salem, Illinois, many nieces and nephews, and his brothers, Jackie, Richard, and Kenny of Illinois. He was predeceased by his parents, Brenda Lou Lee Martin and Jackie Lee Martin.

Randy proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bronstein, an experience that cemented his love for adventure and travel. After his military service, he pursued a career in sales and later became self-employed. Randy had many passions, a primary one being his lifelong support of the University of Illinois sports teams. In 2024, Randy proudly witnessed and celebrated his daughter Melanie graduating from the U of I with her doctorate.

Randy was also an accomplished pool player who captained and played on teams with the American Poolplayers Association for more than 20 years. The Stadium Club in Chandler was Randy’s second home during pool league season. At the time of his passing, he was captain of the F. A. Cues, the team he proudly led to the national tournament in Las Vegas in 2024. Randy built strong and lasting friendships through playing pool, and he was an integral member of the Phoenix metro pool scene.

He also had a deep love for travel, great food, and thought-provoking film and television. His extensive DVD library of Criterion Collection films spoke to his appreciation for storytelling and cinema as art, which he loved sharing with friends and family. In addition, he especially cherished the time spent on his frequent and extended visits to Illinois with his sister Shelly and brother-in-law Brian, their three daughters, and 10 grandchildren.

Above all, Randy was most proud of his daughters and loved spending time with them. The Martins shared many adventures together, enjoying nature and good beer across the United States, as well as in Mexico, Costa Rica, Jordan, and the Cayman Islands. 

Randy will be remembered for his intelligence, sense of humor, loyalty, his love for a good time, and the care he gave to the people he loved.

A graveside service with military honors will be scheduled at a future date at the National Memorial Cemetery. 

“Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded and the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust.” Lawrence M. Krauss