Harry K. Martin, age 85, passed away peacefully in Orange Park, Florida, on November 17, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 5, 1933, in Dothan, AL, to Chester Graves Martin and Nancy Epsie McNeil Martin. Harry met the love of his life, Betty Joyce Anderson Martin, at Troy State University. Upon graduation, he joined the US Army, serving during the Korean War. After joining the military he married Betty Joyce on November 6, 1953. They have five children: D. Kaye Crum, Kelvin G. Martin, Kerry N. Martin, Karyl D. Chester and Kristi L. Cummings. Harry was a perpetual scholar, earning two Masters degrees (music and administration), as well as an Ed.S. He began his career in Albany, GA, as a band director and ended his career at Orange Park High School, where he served 24 years as a guidance counselor, mentoring many students toward their career paths. Harry was a devout Christian. He attended Jacksonville First Baptist Church for many years, where he loved the music. In his later years, he attended Hibernia Baptist Church, whose pastor is a former student. Harry never met a stranger. He loved life and he loved people. He was an avid college football fan and on Saturday, you best not stand in front of the TV. He was also was an avid golfer. Harry was also a devoted family man and whether you called him Harry, or Dad, or PaPa, you all felt equally cherished and loved. Harry will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Betty Joyce Anderson Martin, his children, D. Kaye Crum (Pete), Kelvin G. Martin, Kerry N. Martin (Lynn), Karyl D. Chester and Kristi L. Cummings, his grandchildren, Kimberly Crum, Stephanie Sunday (Michael), Toni Hopson, Christopher Martin, Chandler Martin, Tiffany Ratliff, Brooke Dixon (Joseph), Brandon Buzard (Nicole) and Chloe Cummings, his great grandchildren, Raelyn Sunday, Austin Shirley, Sydney Hopson, Dusty Hopson, Andrew Hopson, Aiden Paris and Makenzie Dixon. Harry was predeceased by his brother, Cecil Martin. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 24, 2018 in the chapel of Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 111 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park. Funeral services officiated by Rev. Scott Yirka will begin at 1:00 PM. Interment services with military honors will follow in Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery in The Garden of The Good Shepherd.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Harry K Martin 2018.
Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Orange Park, state: Florida