John Martin was born in Los Angeles to Adele and James Martin. He lived a few short years in Frazier Park, California before moving to Los Angeles. He spent his early life and a majority of his adult life in the greater Los Angeles area. His schooling included attendance at Rockdale Elementary, Eagle Rock Junior and Senior High schools in Eagle Rock. He worked in the trucking parts business for the majority of his life. In the later few years of his life he lived in Loma Linda, California until his untimely death.
He is survived by his son, Jason Martin, sister Melinda Galvin, and brother Joe Martin. He will be buried at the Hillside Memorial Park in Redlands, California.