Legacy of OKC Bombing Victim Lives On 25 Years Later

Ivan Martinez was only 10 days old when his father was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. On April 19, 1995, the Rev. Gilbert Martinez took his four older children to school, then went to the Social Security office to help a couple from his church. His wife Martha had planned on going too.

"My father said, 'No you stay here. The kids need you.' But she was ready and she had me ready," Ivan said.

"My mom was left at home, a little bitter or mad because she couldn't go with him. Luckily she did stay home that day and didn't go with my father, or else we would be alone," said Michelle.

While Martha knew her husband had been killed, it was almost a week before the children were told.

"They told us the news, and that's when all the world changed to us," said Brian. "The perspective of life completely changed."

"I just remember my sisters crying. After me and Brian heard the news, we just looked at each other and we couldn't believe it," Michelle said.

"She was on the floor crying, and they immediately took us to another room. They told us to just give her a minute," said Jillian. "We didn't know what was going on. But I just remember the feeling of the room."

Michelle was 12 years old, Brian was 9, Bonnie was 8, Jillian 6 and Ivan was a newborn. Martha was left alone to raise her family. Along the way she had help from their church family and friends.

"Even though this broke our family apart in so many ways, I feel like it also made us a lot, lot stronger," Jillian said.

They remember their dad loved his family and was always there for others.

"He always had a smile on his face. Positive, encouraging. He was a helper. He was kind. He was always trying to help people and just a kind person," Michelle said. "Growing up, Ivan would always watch my dad's preachings and videos, and we would tell him stories of how our father was. We see a lot of my father in Ivan."

"I'm always involved in philanthropy events and leadership at work and in my fraternity and the community," said Ivan. "I can see where people draw the similarities for sure."

Growing up without their dad has been incredibly difficult, but they've faced the challenge together. Through birthday parties and holidays, weddings and the birth of their own children, life has been filled with a lot of joy.

"Sometimes you think the world is going to stop when a loved one is gone, but it pauses for a moment for you and life keeps going. You've got to keep on moving and have God on your side," Michelle said. "With God, everything is possible."

Every year on the anniversary of the bombing, the Martinez Family gathers around their dad's chair at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, to pay tribute to him.

"Every time we go back to the Memorial, it's just to think back and say that we are blessed and that he planted a seed that is growing and keeps growing. I hope people will never forget what happened," said Brian.