Henry Martin "Marty" Mayfohrt Jr. (68) was born in Santa Rosa, California, on May 25, 1954. His father was Henry Martin Mayfohrt Sr. (deceased) and his mother Betty Marie Lowdermilk. Marty was a true Californian and a son of the San Joaquin Valley, spending time everywhere from Turlock to Modesto, Bakersfield and Fresno.
Marty graduated from West High School in Bakersfield in 1972 and furthered his studies at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) where he became a lifelong Roadrunner and a champion of valley values, He graduated from CSUB in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.
The first accounting firm he worked for in Bakersfield was Fox and Company, a National Certified Public Accounting firm. Marty worked there until 1983 when he was offered a different position in Santa Barbara, California. While living in Santa Barbara, Marty worked for a business called Sunburst Exploration under his mentor/friend Bud Reid.
An accountant by training but always a car enthusiast at heart, Marty changed jobs mid-career when he accepted a full-time position at Bill Wright Toyota as its General Manager in 1989. He served as general manager until 1996.
In 1996, Marty was offered the same position at Family Motors, where he worked from 1996-1999. But Marty wanted more and yearned to be his own boss, and in 2000 he achieved a lifelong dream and purchased the Madera Auto Center in Madera,
And in a move that Marty helped engineer as he battled cancer, Marty's youngest daughter Lauren has stepped in to run the family business in her father's absence.
When Marty wasn't "playing with cars" (NASCAR and Indy car races were his favorites), he enjoyed golfing, working out, traveling and spending time with his family and friends.
Marty always said the best ten years of his life were living in Bakersfield at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac on St. Cloud Lane, where four families and eight similarly aged school-aged children shared an idyllic upbringing in what Marty called "suburbia at its best."
Marty is survived by his wife, Lela Mayfohrt, of 47 years; daughter Michelle Coupe (Damon) of Kirkland, Washington; daughter Lauren Millard (Ray) of Clovis, Ca , and his three grandchildren. Austin Coupe (15) and twins Reagan Millard and Haley Millard (2.5).
Our family is deeply indebted to the kindness shown by the staff of Hinds Hospice of Fresno, angels them all, and in lieu of flowers we ask you make donations to Hinds Hospice of Fresno and the American Cancer Society.
