1930-2020
George Albert Martin was born August 6, 1930 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to George Albert Martin Sr. and Eliza (Irwin) Scott and died July 3, 2020 in Clarkston, Michigan. A long-time resident of Royal Oak, George graduated in 1948 from Royal Oak High School and entered Albion College that fall, pledging to the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. At Albion College, he lettered 9 times as student manager for three different sports. He graduated in spring 1952 and enlisted in the US Army where he served as corporal in the Signal Corps in South Korea. George married his wife of 59 years, Ann Louise Wildern on December 18, 1954. She died June 28, 2013.
Upon discharge from the US Army, George began a 40-year career in the Royal Oak Schools, serving at Kimball high school, Jane Addams Junior High, and as Director of Curriculum Development. He served as principal at Royal Oak Dondero and as Placement Director at Oakland Technical Center/SE. George earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from the University of Michigan and was inducted into the Royal Oak Schools Hall of Fame in 2001. A tireless advocate of public education, George was a mentor to generations of young men and women, offering words of encouragement and guiding them toward opportunities in higher education. He served as President of the Alumni Board and two terms as Trustee. In 2018, George was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College.
George and Ann traveled to a majority of the U.S.and several Canadian National Parks, towing the trusty red Apache camper behind, and leading three daughters hiking on countless trails and Civil War battlefields. An enduring memory was in watching the moon rise above the El Capitan summit in Yosemite as the astronauts of Apollo 11 made their historic walk on the moon’s surface. In retirement, George and Ann summered in their cottage on the Lake Huron shoreline in Cordwood Point (Cheboygan, MI) where they enjoyed the company of family, friends from their Rochester neighborhood, Royal Oak colleagues, and George’s TKE brothers. He was above all a loyal and faithful friend, and a loving, supportive father to his three daughters.
George is survived by his beloved sister, Marilyn (Martin) Meek; daughters Sharon (Tom) Ryan, Susan (James) Morgan, and Kathryn Martin; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Albion College Fund. Burial will be private at graveside in Oakview Cemetery, Royal Oak. A memorial service for extended family and friends will be planned at a later date.
