Brice Cooper Martin

Brice passed away peacefully at his home on Table Rock Ranch on the morning of Sept. 3, 2015. Brice was born April 5, 1931, on the family ranch in Little Shasta. He was raised in Little Shasta and graduated from Yreka High School in 1949. In 1951, he inlisted in the Army. When he went to Korea, Brice served with the 45th Infantry Division carrying a Browning Automatic Rifle. During his one year in the Army, Brice earned three Purple Hearts for his injuries, the last wound costing him his left leg at Heartbreak Ridge. Brice saw action at Pokki Ridge and Pork Chop Hill before being knocked out of the fighting. His final wound came in March 1952 at Heartbreak Ridge, where he escaped by “playing dead” while lying in a ditch. A pair of Chinese Communist soldiers found him and, after kicking him and removing his gear, left him for dead. Brice had to keep up the deceit a second time, when two other enemy soldiers chanced upon him, kicking him and prodding him with their weapons. When Brice returned from the Korean Conflict, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Patricia “Pat” Ley. Brice and Pat graduated from U.C. Davis with majors in animal science and returned to Table Rock to work on the ranch and start their family. Brice worked tirelessly on the ranch his entire life; he was Siskiyou County Cattleman of the Year in 1999. He served his community on numerous boards and committees. Brice will always be remembered as the toughest cowboy around. He is deeply loved by his family and countless friends of Siskiyou County. He will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth “Pat” Martin and his grandson, Zachary Ryan Martin. He is survived by his sister, Carolyn McWright of Springfield, Virginia; his sister-in-law, Mary Lynn Crebbin of Klamath Falls, Oregon; and his mother-in-law, Wilda Ley of Little Shasta. He is also survived by his children and their spouses: Brice (Heidi), J.T. (Linda), Jess, Rance (Sheri Rider) and Janna (Scott) Gliatto. His grandchildren include Brice Christopher Martin, Lindsay Pappas, Robert Martin, Amy McClane, Jessica Reusze, Kellen Martin, Brooke Eyring, Joseph Martin, Sophia Gliatto and Gabriella Gliatto. His legacy includes 15 great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the dedicated care givers who provided love and care: Sheri Ryder, Lindsey Myers, Vivian Johnson, Laura Martin and Matt Davis. Many other family members dedicated thier time to make sure “Pop” received the best possible care. Memorial contributions may be sent to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka; or to the Siskiyou County Veterans Leadership Council, 105 E. Oberlin Road, Yreka, 96097.

Brice Cooper Martin

April 5, 1931 - September 3, 2015