Ralph E. Martin Jr.

“Ed” as his friends and family knew him, was born in Mansfield, Ohio in 1943 to Pearl “Kitty” Thompson, and Ralph Martin Sr. He is survived by his oldest sister Anita (Dick) Price, of Arlington, Texas, his younger brother Dr. Kenneth (Catherine) Martin of New Port Richey, Florida, his children, Ralph (April) Martin 3rd, Jeannie (Chris) Dunning, and Donald (Robin) Martin, respectively. His 6 Grandchildren, Miles Martin, Diana Martin, Hunter Martin, Noah DiBattista, Daniella Dunning, and Liam Dunning.

Ed, who wanted to be a dentist since he was 4 years old, received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Zoology and his DDS degree from The Ohio State University, and later in his career attended the University of Florida to receive several advanced dental degrees, and was at one point, ranked one of the highest educated dentists in the state of Florida.

With so much of his early life spent in college, he lived for watching the Ohio State Buckeyes football team play on Saturdays, especially when they played “the state up north”. He met his beloved wife, Diana, in History class during that time at school in Columbus. He also liked to talk about having the legendary Ohio State coach, Woody Hayes, as one of his professors for English class.

Ed also served stateside during the Viet Nam conflict in the Unites States Navy, where he utilized his professional dental skills. After moving to Florida in the mid 1970’s, for a short time, he took his first professional dental position at the Florida State Prison, working on inmates, before he moved his family to Clearwater, Florida and opened his own practice in Holiday, FL.

He was a 33rd Degree Free Mason, of the Tarpon Springs Lodge, he enjoyed playing golf, singing karaoke, was a lifelong pilot, lover of animals and classic western movies. He loved to laugh, and loved to make others laugh. He will be missed by all who knew him.