John Charles Martin

Judge John Charles Martin of Raleigh, a devoted husband, father and grandfather to his family and a devoted public servant to the citizens of North Carolina, died peacefully at his home with family by his side on Tuesday, April 9, at the age of 80. His lasting legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of his family and friends, and in the indelible imprint he left on the N.C. Court of Appeals, where he served as a judge from 1985-88 and 1993-2014 and as Chief Judge from 2004-14.

John was born in Durham on November 9, 1943, the son of Mary Blackwell Pridgen Martin and Chester Barton Martin, Sr., the fifth of their six children. He graduated from Durham High School in 1961 and proceeded to Wake Forest University. He received his B.A. in 1965 and graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1967. John was admitted to the bar in 1967, but first served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Military Police Corps. He received the Army Commendation Medal before completing his military service in 1969.

John returned to Durham to begin his legal career. He was elected to the Durham City Council in 1975, and in 1976 was named Durham’s Outstanding Young Man of the Year. In 1977 he was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the N.C. Superior Court. After seven years as a superior court judge, he was elected to the N.C. Court of Appeals, where he served more than 24 years, the last ten years as Chief Judge.

In addition to his judicial service, John served as chairman of the N.C. Judicial Standards Commission from 2001-14 and as president of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal in 2014. He received the North Carolina Bar Association’s highest honor, the John J. Parker Award, in 2013, and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2014. He was inducted into the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal Hall of Fame in 2021.

On May 26, 2023, the portrait of retired Chief Judge John C. Martin was unveiled during a ceremonial session of the N.C. Court of Appeals, officially commemorating his exemplary service to the State of North Carolina. “Within these walls, he forged a legacy as one of the best and most influential judges ever to sit on this bench, or any in our state’s history,” said John Connell, retired clerk of the N.C. Court of Appeals who served under Judge Martin. From securing better wages for the print shop staff and the deputy clerks at the outset of his tenure, to overseeing the courthouse renovation project, no job was too large or too small. Judge Martin strongly encouraged fellow jurists to leave their political ideologies at the door, and he insisted that judges on his court be expedient in their work, creating a more efficient legal process for the people of North Carolina.

John is survived by his wife of thirty years, Margaret Rand Martin; five children and nine grandchildren: Lauren Martin Smith, husband James, and children Sarah Kathryn, Laura and Matthew; Sarah Martin, husband Kevin, and children Jonah, Elodie and Miller; Susan Martin Prince, husband Philip, and children Benjamin and Jillian; Carl Meredith Short III (“Trip”), wife Donna, and son Dean; Louise Short Dodge and husband Gregory; and Banks, the last in a long line of faithful, loving, and sometimes stubborn, labrador retrievers. Survivors also include sisters, Mary Martin Green and Margaret Martin Conley; brother, Joseph Pridgen Martin; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brother, Dr. C.B. Martin, Jr.; sister, Eleanor Martin Fisher; and granddaughter, Anna Claire Prince.

John loved spending time with his family, from traveling abroad with his beloved Margaret to taking grandchildren to New York City. He enjoyed boating and fishing, especially at their home in Wrightsville Beach. He was an active member of Christ Church, where he served on the Vestry and on numerous committees. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Raleigh. He was a Demon Deacon at heart and served Wake Forest University on the Alumni Council, the Board of Visitors, and the Parents Council.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 26, at 11 a.m. at Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, the Rev. Jim Adams presiding. A reception will immediately follow the service at Christ Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Christ Church.

Service arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.