James E. “Grandpa Ed” Martin of Caldwell, WV, passed away January 3, 2018, at the age of 96.
He was born in Brownsville, PA, on November 29, 1921, to Alfred and Georgia Williams Martin.
He was a proud graduate of Smoot High School in the class of 1941, and of Morris Harvey College in the class of 1975. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942-1946, in the Philippines. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 with the 11th Airborne Division following the outbreak of the Korean conflict. He remained in the Army until his retirement in 1968.
In post-retirement, he owned two small businesses; belonged, for a time, to the Lion’s Club; sang with the Men of Greenbrier Barbershop Chorus; was a member of the Strawberry Wine Barbershop Quartet; had been a volunteer reader at White Sulphur Springs Elementary School for over 20 years; belonged to Greenbrier Artists; and was the author of three children’s books, an autobiography, and several other books. His hobbies included working in his vegetable and flower gardens, mountain hiking, and enjoying his grand- and great-grandchildren.
Survivors are his wife of 71 years, Betty Jean Martin; his son, Rodney S. Martin and wife, Sharry, of Port Orange, FL; his daughter, Anita Sue White and husband, Jim, of White Sulphur Springs, WV; grandson, Jaired White and friend, Michelle Level, of Richmond, VA; granddaughters, Jessica White and partner, Lisa Dolan, of Lewisburg, WV, and Jana White of Lewisburg; great-grandchildren, Amber O’Conner of Atlanta, GA, Lane White of Richmond, VA, Jaxon, Mace, Maddix, and Lyndi of Lewisburg, and great-great-granddaughter Callie of Atlanta, GA.
A celebration of life with full military honors will be held at McCraw Funeral Home in Lewisburg on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 2 PM, with the Rev. Ron Miller officiating.
Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the White Sulphur Elementary Library Fund at 150 Reed Street, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986.
McCraw Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the January 5, 2018 edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
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