Donald Allan Martin

Donald Allan Martin (Donnie/Don) of Matthews NC passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024.  Having accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior, he now resides in heaven for eternity.

Donnie was born on October 21,1937 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 62+ years, Nancy Lee Martin; his parents Burt & Bessie Martin, his brother Ronald (Ronnie) Martin, and his sister Janet Martin Longnion.

Donnie is survived by his son, Kirk Allan Martin and wife Anita Leonhardt Martin; his daughter Donna Lee Martin Griffin and husband Richard H. Griffin; 2 beautiful granddaughters, Katie Joyce Martin (Philip Martin) and Lauren Lee Martin; his precious great granddaughter Olivia James Martin; 2 grandsons, J Tyler Griffin (Sydney) and Jordan A Griffin (Katie) and their children, Hudson, Camden, Taylor, and Isla; sister-in-law Gayle Young, 5 nieces and 3 nephews; and his loyal schnauzer/companion, Little Man.

Don is also survived by his girlfriend Judy Powell, daughter Amy Kastner (Chris) and his bonus granddaughter Hannah Kastner.

Donnie grew up in Port Arthur, Texas. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School (in Port Arthur) where he met his sweetheart Nancy Lee Broussard who became his wife at the age of 19.  According to his life-long friend Danny Williams, “Donnie Martin was one heck of a baseball player.” Don not only played high school ball, he played minor league baseball as well. Years later Don coached little league baseball for Kirk and his teammates.

Don loved his family above all else, but he also loved his country.  He served in the United States Army from 1956-1964 (Active Duty/Army Reserve), and was headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.

Don had a very successful career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He retired from Goodyear in 1995.  From there he and Nancy enjoyed their retirement years vacationing for weeks at a time at Surfside and Myrtle beaches.  They also enjoyed dancing/shagging to beach music with their shag buddies on Saturday nights in Charlotte, NC.  Donnie loved Mexican food, the beach, camping, schnauzers, and buying cars.

Don’s humor and knack for making anyone and everyone laugh will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.  He was often referred to as a “comedian”, a “cutup”, a jokester” and just an overall “nut”!

Kirk & Donna are forever grateful for the consistent, unwavering love, care, protection, discipline, guidance, and support their daddy provided right up until his last breath.

A service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday August 10, 2024 at Tribute & Tallent Funerals & Cremations, 1937 N. Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte NC 28205 (704-567-1500). Visitation will be directly before the service from 2:00-3:00.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to all of the staff at The Little Flower Assisted Living for the kindness, patience, love, and care they provided for their “Mr. Don”.  May the Lord bless each & every one of you.