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It is with a heavy and shattered heart that Derek Scott Martin, 32, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Lincoln, California from a long battle of PTSD from a result of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Derek leaves behind 3 children and a wife. He also leaves behind a mother, father, bonus mom, bonus dad, 2 sisters, 2 bonus brothers, grandparents, and countless of cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
Derek served for the United States Air Force from 2006-2012. He proudly served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times. Derek was happiest being with his military brothers and sisters. He was a decorated war veteran and recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart. Derek was a very passionate, caring, and loving person. When he was serving in the Middle East, he always made sure the children over there wore a smile on their face. He would hand them soccer balls, stuffed animals, and candy to help bring happiness in their life when all they knew was war. They felt safe when Derek was around. Most importantly they felt love and protected. His efforts even touched the hearts of his favorite band Metallica, to where they provided him with items to donate to these children.
When Derek left the battle, the battle never left him. He suffered severely from PTSD and as a result left him with emotions and mental torment that no one can fully understand. Derek always believed there were others who needed help more than him. In conjunction with one of his Air Force brothers, who like Derek suffered from PTSD, he co-founded the nonprofit organization, The Rimpact Foundation, in 2014. This non-profit organization helped wounded warriors heal therapeutically through the game of golf. The Rimpact Foundation is named after “Reaper Impact,” because they were part of an Air Force Security Force known as The Reapers. The foundation encourages golf courses and organizations to donate equipment, lessons, and rounds to injured combat veterans. Derek, who was a pro at Valley Oaks Golf Course in Visalia, also donated lessons or fees to the Wounded Warrior Project. Derek always chose to help others before helping himself.
Derek leaves behind 3 children. Parker, 14, who lives in Kansas; Kayson, 8 and Kalli, 6 who live in California. He was a big kid at heart. Always cracking jokes and playing in their cul-de-sac with the other neighborhood children. He was their favorite person. If Derek was around, it was time to play. He always had a huge passion for children and routinely volunteered at his children’s school.
The proceeds to this memorial fund will 100% benefit his children. The funds raised will go into a trust account and will be split evenly when they become an adult. If you can’t donate, please share this page. Please continue to pray for our family during this unbearable time in our lives. We thank you for your thoughts, healing prayers, and donations.
I wanted to close by saying something uplifting even when our hearts are hurting so badly. Shortly after I found out of my brother’s passing, I went to the beach to walk, talk, think, cry, and pray. When I happened to look up in the sky I saw a dove perfectly painted in the clouds. The way the clouds were moving made it look like the wings were gracefully flying in the sky, yet the dove was not moving; more like hovering. I didn’t think anything of it at that moment, but it did bring me some inner peace that I needed. Then that night when I was talking to my pastor, he used sunflowers to describe inner peace for me. Yesterday my friend opened up her iPad to have some quiet time and color on an app. You know what the picture was? It was of a dove hovering over sunflowers. She said “I colored it for you and hope today you feel peace.” The dove represents peace, kindness, and forgiveness of the absolute deepest kind. It soothes and quiets our worried or troubled thoughts, enabling us to find the renewal in the silence of the mind. The dove's role as spirit messengers for inner peace that helps us go about our lives calmly and with purpose. Doves are symbols of new beginnings, love, faithfulness, prosperity and eternal peace. The Holy Spirit was speaking to me. At that exact moment it made me realize my brother was okay. He was finally at peace. God had him wrapped in his loving arms. Rest in Heavenly Peace, Derek. Your battle is finally over. You no longer have to fight. You no longer have to struggle. You no longer have to hurt. We got this from here. We Love you and will see you again. Reaper 1-1A out.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Please read Derek's obituary below and leave comments, memories, stories, anything uplifting if you can to help bring a glimmer of peace our way. Thank you!!!!!
Derek Martin Obituary
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lincoln-ca/derek-martin-9091374?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2Kmvb_nFeXznuj8GoNpL6VCpRxVER1TDahyPDahSbrEdrfLtiuIgFsPck
Here is Derek's non-profit organization The Rimpact Foundation
Here is a facebook post from Team Defenders
Here is a facebook post from Heroes Strong
Statistically, 22 veterans die to depression EVERY DAY. Yes, daily. Please remember these resources if you’re suffering, as you’re never alone:
• National Suicide Lineline: (800)-273-8255
• Stop Soldier Suicide (844) [phone redacted] and https://stopsoldiersuicide.org
• Text 2-1-1 (someone will have a text conversation if you don’t want to talk with a person)
• The Rimpact Foundation (Derek’s nonprofit organization)
Together, we can make a difference! No soldier should continue a war in his or her own head and be imprisoned to that after they have served our country.
Derek served for the United States Air Force from 2006-2012. He proudly served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times. Derek was happiest being with his military brothers and sisters. He was a decorated war veteran and recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart. Derek was a very passionate, caring, and loving person. When he was serving in the Middle East, he always made sure the children over there wore a smile on their face. He would hand them soccer balls, stuffed animals, and candy to help bring happiness in their life when all they knew was war. They felt safe when Derek was around. Most importantly they felt love and protected. His efforts even touched the hearts of his favorite band Metallica, to where they provided him with items to donate to these children.
When Derek left the battle, the battle never left him. He suffered severely from PTSD and as a result left him with emotions and mental torment that no one can fully understand. Derek always believed there were others who needed help more than him. In conjunction with one of his Air Force brothers, who like Derek suffered from PTSD, he co-founded the nonprofit organization, The Rimpact Foundation, in 2014. This non-profit organization helped wounded warriors heal therapeutically through the game of golf. The Rimpact Foundation is named after “Reaper Impact,” because they were part of an Air Force Security Force known as The Reapers. The foundation encourages golf courses and organizations to donate equipment, lessons, and rounds to injured combat veterans. Derek, who was a pro at Valley Oaks Golf Course in Visalia, also donated lessons or fees to the Wounded Warrior Project. Derek always chose to help others before helping himself.
Derek leaves behind 3 children. Parker, 14, who lives in Kansas; Kayson, 8 and Kalli, 6 who live in California. He was a big kid at heart. Always cracking jokes and playing in their cul-de-sac with the other neighborhood children. He was their favorite person. If Derek was around, it was time to play. He always had a huge passion for children and routinely volunteered at his children’s school.
The proceeds to this memorial fund will 100% benefit his children. The funds raised will go into a trust account and will be split evenly when they become an adult. If you can’t donate, please share this page. Please continue to pray for our family during this unbearable time in our lives. We thank you for your thoughts, healing prayers, and donations.
I wanted to close by saying something uplifting even when our hearts are hurting so badly. Shortly after I found out of my brother’s passing, I went to the beach to walk, talk, think, cry, and pray. When I happened to look up in the sky I saw a dove perfectly painted in the clouds. The way the clouds were moving made it look like the wings were gracefully flying in the sky, yet the dove was not moving; more like hovering. I didn’t think anything of it at that moment, but it did bring me some inner peace that I needed. Then that night when I was talking to my pastor, he used sunflowers to describe inner peace for me. Yesterday my friend opened up her iPad to have some quiet time and color on an app. You know what the picture was? It was of a dove hovering over sunflowers. She said “I colored it for you and hope today you feel peace.” The dove represents peace, kindness, and forgiveness of the absolute deepest kind. It soothes and quiets our worried or troubled thoughts, enabling us to find the renewal in the silence of the mind. The dove's role as spirit messengers for inner peace that helps us go about our lives calmly and with purpose. Doves are symbols of new beginnings, love, faithfulness, prosperity and eternal peace. The Holy Spirit was speaking to me. At that exact moment it made me realize my brother was okay. He was finally at peace. God had him wrapped in his loving arms. Rest in Heavenly Peace, Derek. Your battle is finally over. You no longer have to fight. You no longer have to struggle. You no longer have to hurt. We got this from here. We Love you and will see you again. Reaper 1-1A out.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Please read Derek's obituary below and leave comments, memories, stories, anything uplifting if you can to help bring a glimmer of peace our way. Thank you!!!!!
Derek Martin Obituary
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lincoln-ca/derek-martin-9091374?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2Kmvb_nFeXznuj8GoNpL6VCpRxVER1TDahyPDahSbrEdrfLtiuIgFsPck
Here is Derek's non-profit organization The Rimpact Foundation
Here is a facebook post from Team Defenders
Here is a facebook post from Heroes Strong
Statistically, 22 veterans die to depression EVERY DAY. Yes, daily. Please remember these resources if you’re suffering, as you’re never alone:
• National Suicide Lineline: (800)-273-8255
• Stop Soldier Suicide (844) [phone redacted] and https://stopsoldiersuicide.org
• Text 2-1-1 (someone will have a text conversation if you don’t want to talk with a person)
• The Rimpact Foundation (Derek’s nonprofit organization)
Together, we can make a difference! No soldier should continue a war in his or her own head and be imprisoned to that after they have served our country.