John Everett Martin

John Everett Martin, of Waynesville, NC, , died March 20, 2017, at the age of 99 from complications of his WW II injuries and old age. He was the oldest member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, NC. Born in Durango, Colorado, on February 28, 1918, he was the son of Chauncey Giles and Hattie Damon Martin. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Harold Martin and two of his four children, John Everett Martin II and Stephanie Martin Owens. He is survived by his wife Eleanor Earlene Martin, and children Gary Lynn and Craig Mell Martin. He had 7 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He grew up in Lyons, Kansas, and graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan. He served in the US Army as a Lt., was wounded in combat, and awarded a Purple Heart. Due to his injuries, he learned to write with his other hand, gave up his career plan as an Industrial Arts teacher, and worked for the US Post Office first in Lyons, Kansas, then in Manhattan, Kansas, until retirement at age 55. He retired to NC to be near family. He was active in both church and volunteer work, caring for those in need, visiting shut-ins, and driving for Meals on Wheels. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on April 1, 2017 at 11 am  at the Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 801 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC, with Rev. Gary Mitchell presiding.  In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to Abiding Savior or Meals on Wheels. Special thanks go to our Aston Park family, who providing loving care to John for the past year and one-half.

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