David Wayne Martin

David Wayne Martin was born on June 15th, 1960 in Dallas, Texas to Betty Wilson and Kenneth Wayne Martin and passed away on August 1st, 2023 at his rural home near Normangee, Texas at the age of 62 years old. 

David was the second son of Kenneth Wayne Martin and Betty Wilson Martin, and the last survivor of their three children. His father was a career Marine and absent during their upbringing for three tours in the Far East, including Vietnam, leaving the parenting duties to their mother during those years.

As “military brats” the kids followed their parents to duty stations in Santa Ana, California; Kaneohe, Hawaii; Beaufort, South Carolina; Garden City, New York; and Albany, Georgia. They were often photographed on the beaches of Hawaii and at Civil War forts on weekend excursions over much of South Carolina and Georgia.

While living in New York, David and his brother Victor participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, while dad served as scoutmaster, leading outings to camp out in frigid winter weather; hike the historic Valley Forge Trail of 17 miles; and multi-day canoe adventures down the Wading River in southern New Jersey. Both sons got dirt bike motorcycles on Victor’s 14th birthday and enjoyed many a weekend ride with dad in an old quarry on Long Island.

David was a journeyman electrician who had only recently quit working due to health problems. His neighbors spoke well of him and said they had called on him for help when the emergencies arose, but he would accept no payment for his services. He was hard working and trusted by his friend and sometimes employer Mike Watkins. David was an affectionate son and a dedicated caregiver for his two dogs.

Older brother Victor Ray Martin died in Reidsville, North Carolina, at age 54 of complications from hepatitis. Younger sister Laurie Martin Bedell died in Normangee, Texas, at age 56 of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which also afflicted David, as did heart disease.

David never married and left no children. He is survived by his parents.

"Death not merely ends life, it also bestows upon it a silent completeness, snatched from the hazardous flux to which all things human are subject." -- Hannah Arendt (1906-1975), German-born U.S. political philosopher.

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