Those Changed Forever: Son of Oklahoma City bombing victim shares story

Saturday marks 30 years since the Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City. The tragedy impacted the lives of generations of Oklahomans living in the State since 1995.

Today, we remember Rev. Gilbert Martinez, who was a victim of the bombing, but is survived by his son Brian Martinez.

Martinez joined News 9 on Thursday for a conversation about his life and his father.

"We lived in a home of two bedrooms and he took in so many people from the church. About 15 people lived in that house. And we kept making more room, or he did, for those people in church. There was two elderly people I remember. he's like, I need to give them space. They're immigrants, they need help. And he converted a garage into their little home for them here in the States."

Gilbert Martinez was a man of faith, who lost his life helping those in need according to Brian.

"He was a minister with the Assemblies of God here in Oklahoma City. Great man. He helped so many, you know, get on their feet. That day he was in the Murrah Building helping somebody become a naturalized citizen. So that day was like any other day. The life that he lived to the end, serving and helping so many. Servant's heart. It was his heart. It was his way of life."

The incident left a scar on many Oklahoma families, and victims are left with a fear of what could happen.

"The bomb went off and it changed our lives, my siblings, my mom, she had five kids. Raising all the kids by herself. So you know, the seeds that my dad planted have kind of helped us grow as people, but we still mentally have those feelings of, you know, it could happen again."

Martinez was left to wonder why someone could be capable of committing such a violent act.

"Knowing that this happened by an American, it's what hurts the most you know? And to this day, I can't fathom to think of that, it was an American who took my dad's life. And, um, it's just a hard thought to take in."

Brian Martinez keeps a box of mementos, including things his father had at the time of the tragedy.

"This is the actual watch that he wore that day of the blast. There's still some blood behind it. We've preserved it to where we can see it whenever we want. We're going to take it tomorrow with family to show them. These are the actual rings, his wedding ring, the ring he had on, his testimony of his life story, and his picture, his first business card for church."

Even though Brian's family lost so much that day, he said he is still thankful for the family and things he's surrounded by today.

"My youngest brother was 9 days old or 10 days old at the time. And he just had his first baby. My nephew, Tony. We're passionate with our nephew. I see my little brother in him when he was born. And it just brings back those memories, you know? You know, my sister, she's got her Ph.D. I have my master's degree. The family unit is never going to separate. We're always together through thick and thin. But we've taken this moment in our life to kind of step back and say, you know, there's hope at the end. There's hope for all of us.

News 9 will be covering the Remembrance Ceremony this Saturday, April 19 marking 30 years since the Oklahoma City bombing.

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Those Changed Forever: April 19, 1995