1970
Joe Martin’s son Jeff returns to Pine Valley from Stanford Medical School for the summer. Intent on angering Jeff's sister Tara, Erica Kane sets her sights on the young doctor-to-be. Oblivious, Jeff falls hard for Erica.
1971
Jeff becomes the first man to marry the legendary La Kane. She loves him, and believes she would love the glamorous life of a doctor's wife more. Unfortunately, life for the Martins is far from glamorous. When Jeff starts his residency he becomes a workaholic, upsetting Erica because he can't be devoted to her 24/7. At the hospital, Jeff and Mary Kennicott become friends.
1972
Jeff loves Erica, but his eyes slowly open to the fact that he married a very selfish woman. He struggles with how to live with her career choice as a model. Meanwhile, Mary falls in love with Jeff, but keeps mum since he is married.
1973
Erica becomes pregnant, but since it would surely ruin her career as a rising high-fashion model, she is not pleased. The Supreme Court has just legalized abortions, so without Jeff's knowledge, Erica terminates her pregnancy. When Erica falls ill with an infection, Jeff finds out about the abortion and is furious. It takes time, but Jeff eventually forgives Erica. Unfortunately, forgiveness does not make a perfect marriage. Erica soon falls for Jason Maxwell, and Jeff realizes how much he wants to be with Mary. They decide to divorce. However, when Jason turns up dead, Jeff is arrested for the crime.
1974
Jeff is cleared when it is revealed that Erica's mother, Mona, killed Jason. Jeff and Erica's divorce is finalized and he marries Mary. The newlyweds want to adopt 10-year-old Tad, who has been abandoned by his abusive father.
1975
Jeff and Mary learn they cannot adopt Tad until the youngsters' parents are found. Tragedy strikes first, though: Thugs kill Mary. Jeff is devastated and leaves Pine Valley. His parents, Joe and Ruth, adopt little Tad instead.
1977
After two years of grieving, Jeff returns to Pine Valley, where fellow doctor Christina Karras catches his eye.
1978
Jeff wins Christina's heart over Dr. David Thorton and they marry. But just as with Erica, Jeff discovers Christina is a bit on the demanding side.
1979
Christina was never happy in Pine Valley, so when she lands a job in San Francisco she tells her hubby she's moving — with or without him! After much thought, Jeff moves to the West Coast as well, returning to Pine Valley for the occasional visit through the years.
2006
Upon learning that he has a son, Jeff makes plans to leave Africa and return to Pine Valley. He is understandably shocked, because Josh is the baby Erica supposedly aborted in 1973. However, instead of performing an abortion, the evil Dr. Madden transplanted Erica's embryo into his own wife and raised Josh as his own. Josh has yet to learn about his true paternity.
