Kenneth Wayne Martin, Sr.

He was a faithful Christian, loving husband and father, and proud grandfather and great grandfather.

Mr. Martin was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on June 29, 1935, the son of the late Robert Alley and Audrey BeVille Martin. In the early 40’s, his family moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where he spent his childhood and married his only sweetheart, June Gilpin Martin. They were married for 55 years before her death in 2008.

Mr. Martin served as Airman First Class in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957, and in the Air Force Reserves from 1957 to 1961. He graduated in 1961 from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He retired after 33 years of service with the Jackson Utility Division (JEA). He was the Vice-President responsible for the integrity of operation, maintenance, improvement and expansion of the water and wastewater systems for the city of Jackson. He was a member of American Public Works Association (APWA) and served in various executive positions. He won the Samuel A. Greeley Local Government Service Award in 1991. On the state level, he served as president and treasurer of the Tennessee Chapter of APWA for several years.

Mr. Martin was a faithful member of Forest Heights United Methodist Church for 61 years. He has been actively involved in its ministries from helping in the kitchen in the Fellowship Hall to serving as Chairman of the Administrative Board and Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee. His community service included working at the RIFA Soup Kitchen and Thrift Store, Room at the Inn and being a blood donor for Life Line Blood Services. He was recognized by RIFA as Volunteer of the Year and received Blood Donor Milestone awards from Life Line Blood Services.

He started his favorite hobby at age 12, racing and showing homing pigeons, the same type of pigeon used in WWI and II to send messages. His racing homers are national prize winners. He served as a certified racing homer judge in numerous competitions in Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida, and establish friendships in the sport across the United States. In retirement, he excelled in painting and making stain glass window art. He was a life-long, avid Vol fan.

Kenneth Martin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two sons, Brian Gilpin Martin and Dru BeVille Martin, and brother, Robert BeVille Martin. He is survived by his children, Ken Martin (Ruth) of Millington, TN and Shay Young (Gary) of Jackson, TN. Other survivors include eight grandchildren, Erin Douglas (David), Sarah Currie (Scott), Haley McCauley (Ryan), Reid Young (Ariane), Rachel Young, Brian Martin (Tracy), Brett Martin (Abigail) and Alexi Martin, and eight great grandchildren. He also leaves behind several cousins, and many nieces and nephews. The pallbearers to serve are his grandsons and grandson-in-laws. Honorary pallbearers are Don Jacquet, Truman Murray and Bobby Ellis.

Funeral services for Kenneth Martin will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Forest Heights United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The celebration of his life will begin at 1:00 PM with Reverend Drew Brewer officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Forest Height United Methodist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Martin family.