Wyatt Martin’s death, at the tender young age of 22, has made us realize how fragile life is.
When Wyatt made the decision to join the Army, it was with a passionate calling. After his decision was made, it was as if Wyatt was made whole. His path was secure. He was ready to be where he needed to be, when he needed to be, for all of us. Wyatt cherished life, his country, family and friendships.
Wyatt was killed on Dec. 12 while serving his country in Afghanistan. He died when an improvised explosive device hit the vehicle in which he was riding. As a combat engineer, he was a member of a unit assigned to disarm the explosive devices.
This brave soldier was a Mesa resident and a graduate of Skyline High School. The only son of Brian and Julie Martin, Wyatt was a loving brother to two older sisters.
Wyatt’s house has been a buzz from sunrise to sunset. As his sister Katie said, “How many people can say their loved one died happy, doing what they knew they were meant to do?” It is with this faith and conviction that the Martin family and friends are dealing with their loss. Katie and Wyatt spent many hours talking about the what if. And all Wyatt said was, “Know that I died happy.”
Wyatt spent every summer in Michigan with family. Every moment was enjoyed with zeal and a desire for excitement and adventure. A true outdoorsman, he could be found fishing for hours, waiting patiently for that bite to come, or out camping under the stars without a tent.
“Wyatt was the one to keep us in line,” Levi Krecklow recalled. “We were the 303 family from a forest trail where we camped, fished and had lots of fun. I know he’ll be watching me do more dumb things from above.”
When Wyatt knew he was being deployed, he made his last months at home count. “We treated every moment as if he wouldn’t be back,” his sister Beth said. “We did all the things he loved, and got in hugs, kisses, cuddles, and we relished every day.”
Knowing he would be deployed for Christmas 2014, Wyatt spent quality time with those cherished friendships in 2013. They went to the lake, golfed and made memories together. “He has always been one of my best friends,” Alex Slota shared. “He always showed how much he cared and loved his friends. He was nice to everyone he met. I feel blessed to have gotten to know him for the time I did. I loved him as the kids we were to the man he became.”
Wyatt is many things to many people. He has been my son Jordan’s best friend since they were 3 years old. Every Christmas Eve, a group of boys would come to our house, have a bonfire, play some games, drink some drinks and just be boys. This started when they were 15 and continued to this year—only now it was different. Different in that smiling Wyatt wasn’t walking down the hall or coming in our front door and sitting around that fire pit. But he was in the heart of each of the boys and in the memories they shared.
“Wyatt was truly an amazing person, and the greatest man I have ever met,” said Sean Marucha. “From summer nights at Apache Lake, to Christmas Eve bonfires, they will never be the same without him. We never got to do that wrestling rematch that you were supposed to beat me in,” he continued. “I’ll miss you, you big Paul Bunyan. Hugs. I love you, brother, and thank you for your service.”
For these young men, death has come too soon, too close to home. “Wyatt was the first person who was friendly to me when I moved to Mesa,” Robert Gundran stated. “I can’t think of one bad thing anyone on this planet would say about him. He’s one of the greatest people I’ve ever met, and I’m lucky to have known him these past nine years of my life.”
“Easily the greatest man I’ve ever met,” Jordan Williams said. “He always found a way to brighten people’s days, no matter what. It was what drove people to him.” We should all be blessed to have a friend like that.
Thank you for your sacrifice. Rest in peace our dear, sweet Wyatt. XOXO