John Stephen Martin

1941-2017

A beloved husband, father, and teacher of countless students in Western North Carolina, John Stephen Martin passed peacefully at Caldwell County Hospice on March 26, 2017 after complications from heart surgery.

He is survived by his wife Caroline Martin, daughter Alicia Dawn Martin, sons Jason Ross Martin and John Stephen Martin, Jr., and grandchildren Emilee Jordan Icenhour and Jackson Martin. John’s first wife and the children’s mother, Linda Pearson Martin, preceded him in death in 1987.

Born on July 18, 1941, John was the son of Ira Tildon Martin and Viola Griffith Martin. John loved his brothers and sisters Nellie Martin Snead, Rev. Philip “Buck” Martin, Helen Martin Buie, Jimmy Martin, Donna Martin Wood, Billy Martin, Tommy Martin, Charles Martin, Bobby Martin, and Pat Martin Goodwin, as well as their many children which make up the extended Martin Family.

In addition to spending time with his family, John was a great lover of nature, spending his retirement developing his interests in kayaking, horseback riding, and birdwatching. Passionately devoted to conservation efforts for the Catawba River watershed, he coordinated biannual clean-up efforts with the Riverkeepers organization and donated his time to educational programs to encourage students to embrace his commitment to environmental protection.

John retired from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, where he worked for 28 years teaching Mathematics and serving as the Head of the Math and Science Department. His teaching career began during six formative years at Lenoir and Kings Creek High Schools.

A member of College Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, John spent his late years worshipping God in nature as he explored the rivers, trails, and majestic views of Western North Carolina. In his own words, he “found God in other people.”

Funeral services will be held in the chapel at Pendry’s Funeral Home in Lenoir, North Carolina on Sunday, April 2 at 4 p.m.

Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Ave NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of John Stephen Martin.