Oral Martin Anderson, of Morant Bay in the Parish of Saint Thomas, Jamaica, took his own life early in the morning of Tuesday, April 2, 2024. He was 36 years old. Oral is survived by his wife Christabelle Guzman, his daughter Faviola Anderson and son Antwon Anderson, his father Leroy, his siblings, Natalee Montaque, Angelee Hall, and Kerryann McCurrie. Oral was greeted in heaven by his mother Barbara Reid Anderson, and grandmother Ida May Johnson. Oral’s funeral will be held at San Jose Funeral Home., 10950 Pellicano Dr., El Paso, Texas 79935, Friday, April 19, 2024. Friends and relatives may visit at the funeral home from 4pm-8pm MST.

If I was asked to describe Oral in a word, I would choose "generous," Oral was generous with his time for others, generous with his money, generous with his forgiveness and his love for his friends and family. His passion for bodybuilding help build his dream and desire of joining the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Professional League. It was obvious that he would have accomplished it with his beautiful and athletic physique. Oral’s faith was founded in Christ and had been since he was a young Shepard boy growing up in Jamaica. God had gifted Oral with a beautiful voice to sing and dancing skills that could give anyone a run for their money. Oral had two children his 11year-old boy Antwon and his beautiful 5 year-old girl Faviola, whom he adored with his all his heart.

Throughout his journey in life Oral faced many real challenges and struggles as a young man in Jamaica then migrating to the United States about 9 years ago. Oral was very smart, resourceful, ambitious and determined. As he grew, he built a new and tougher personality: a personality of cool, of fun, of hard work and goals. He built stubborn walls to protect that fragile self. He constructed a defensive, brittle confidence. He made friends; he worked out hard and always showed up for his people. Oral had plans and goals and family that loved him. He knew this. Ever determined, he worked hard on understanding what he was doing wrong, how he could be a better person, a better friend, a better father, partner and husband. As a young man with both passion and an intense sense of empathy, Oral was also subject to depression which later in the years to come would be enhanced by the use of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids.

“Five suicides were committed during current use of AAS, and two following 2 and 6 months of AAS withdrawal. In one case it was unclear whether the suicide was committed during current use or after recent discontinuation. In five cases family members had noted depressive symptoms associated with AAS withdrawal” …two subjects exhibited hypomania-like symptoms during the time immediately preceding the suicide. Four subjects had recently committed acts of violence while using AAS. In some case’s these acts exacerbated the subjects' problems in personal relationships, family or at work, which in turn seem to have precipitated the suicides” (Ann Clin Psychiatry.2016 Dec;11(4):223-31).

Now Oral, finally, is at rest, and I hold him close within me. Please hold him close, as I do, in your mind and your spirit. Remember the meaning of this tragedy.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.