Jack B Martin

Jack was a proud Tampa native, devoted GATOR fan and was born at Tampa General. He loved life and people and never met a stranger. He laughed at his own jokes and the glass was always half full (or full depending on the circumstances).

Jack sold outdoor power equipment for STIHL for thirty plus years and experienced great joy in developing numerous dealerships within the state of Florida and the Caribbean. After he retired, he became an Auctioneer and definitely had the gift of gab.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Reverend and Mrs. Jack R. Martin. He was the older brother to his beautiful siblings, Patsy Cruea (Don), Dorothy Cummings (Lewis), and Kathy Martin-Siegfried (Karl). Jack will forever be loved and missed by his wife of 25 years, Cindy Leigh-Martin. ROLL TIDE! We met 33 years ago, and although Jack had a need for speed (boating, cars, golf carts and riding mowers), it took us awhile to make it to the altar. It was a joyous occasion at Ron and Linda Scoggins’ unique cracker house in Chiefland, FL with some great photos compliments of Angie. Jack was extremely proud of his daughter, Sandra Elizabeth “Beth” Martin, who definitely received Daddio’s talent for sales excellence in her DNA. The apple does not fall far from the tree. His legacy lives on through her, his three grands and five great grands. Thankfully, we had a family reunion in Hilton Head, SC while he could still travel. Jack had a great time and might have been the biggest kid at the reunion.

We also took some memorable trips with Big Dog (Troublemaker #2) and Gypsy Princess, and later with Chris, who happily took Cindy wine tasting while Jack golfed at Pebble Beach. Jack was an avid golfer and liked to beat the younger guys and take their money whenever possible. Captain Jack enjoyed boating and fishing and we spent many happy years at our Sugar Shack island retreat on the Homosassa River with longtime neighbors Mo and Charlene, Pinky and Teri and Steven and Mermaid Melinda. What happens on the island stays on the island. Action Jackson was larger than life and it was his world and we were just living in it. He was a typical Leo and loved to celebrate his birthday for the entire month of August in Tampa AND Homosassa.

Eternally grateful to ’Trola (his Bestie Bom, Bom, Bom Buddy), Kathy, Karl, and Guardian Angel Pinky who visited regularly and kept our hours happy! Jack and I also shared great times with his fellow PK and my BFF, Cookie Monstah, who officiated at our wedding and affectionately called him “Whack”. We had more fun than the law allowed. And, thank you to Stephen and Els for our shared Jack-isms and for helping me with that acre of land.

May each of you have a Jack in your life - you will be entertained, enriched and forever blessed!

-Cindy Leigh-Martin