CDR James Martin

CDR James "Dick" Richard Martin, 95, USN (Ret.) of Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, husband of Sarah Stone Martin entered into eternal rest Wednesday, March 8, 2017. His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 18 in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends Friday in the Downtown Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment, Magnolia Cemetery.

Dick was born September 5, 1921 in Alston, Georgia and grew up on James Island, SC. He was a son of the late John Gordon Martin and Ollie Hatcher Martin. He attended the High School of Charleston. Dick received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy but chose to accept an athletic scholarship from Presbyterian College where he received an AB degree in English. He earned his Master's Degree in Education at The Citadel. Dick retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves with 26 years of service after having served in WWII as a patrol bomber pilot in the Pacific and the Korean War as a fighter pilot. He also saw duty as a flight instructor and with the Naval Intelligence Service. During his time in the military he earned many medals including the Air Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Naval Reserve Medal, Victory Medal for WWII, American Theater, Asiatic Pacific, Navy Occupation Medal, Philippine Liberation, United Nations, Korean Service, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Citation and the Philippine Presidential Citation. In addition to his military service, Dick had a career in the SC education system as teacher and principal which spanned more than 30 years.

Dick is predeceased by Kathryn Jayne Simmons, his first wife and the mother of his children. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sarah Stone; two daughters: Kathryn Martin Dudley of Chapel Hill, NC and Liza Martin Terll (George) of Pittsboro, NC; two sons: James "Dick" R. Martin, Jr. (Suzanne) of Guyton, GA and Clayton Simmons Martin (Kimberly) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; step-daughter, Ruth Martin (Jack) of Lawrenceville, GA; two step-sons, Bill Roach (Mary Sue) of New Bern, NC and John Roach (Annie) of Pittsboro, NC, 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 300 West Coleman Blvd, Suite 206, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.