Thomas P. Martin Jr.

A funeral service will be held at West Market Street United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on July 16th at 2:00 with a visitation in the Gathering Space following the funeral service; Rev. Pam Strader will be officiating. Tom was born June 19, 1943 in Knoxville, TN, one of three children.

Mr. Martin graduated from Young High School and kept in touch with many of his high school friends. He was also a proud graduate the University of Tennessee. It was said that his blood ran orange for UT. When the doctor told him that his leukemia had gone from chronic to acute, Mr. Martin said just get me to the first UT football game. After graduating from University of Tennessee and spending two years in the Army, Tom spent his entire working career with Burlington Industries. His first post was in Rockwood Tennessee where he was Shipping Department Manager for the Gold Cup Sock Division. He was then promoted Training Manager in Burlington's Lee's Carpet Division in Buena Vista, Virginia. While in Buena Vista he became the Worshipful Master of the Buena Vista Masonic Lodge. His last promotion to Training Manager for Corporate Engineering brought him to Burlington's Home Office in Greensboro (known as "3330"). As the Corporate Training Manager, he was an active member and held leadership positions in the local American Society for Training & Development society. He took an early retirement in 1999 and became a full time fisherman and part-time golfer.

He was an active member of West Market Street United Methodist Church, participating on many committees. He was also very active in the Cities In Schools program where he mentored many students and continued to keep in touch with them for many years. Although his last student aged out of the program, he continued his friendship through the student's first job, marriage and children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Pauline Martin, and sister, Teresa Martin. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Shalonn Martin; beloved daughter, Amy Crossman and husband Ken of Hendersonville, NC; brother, Steve Martin and wife Marci of Knoxville, TN; sister and brother-in-law Patrick and Sherri Walsh; nephews Chris Martin of Russell, MA., Patrick Walsh and wife Michelle of Naperville, IL, Terry Walsh and wife Melissa of Elmhurst, IL and Kevin Walsh and wife Melissa of Wheaton IL; and his faithful four legged companion, Lexi.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Martin family. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.