Mr. Robert Lee Martin's Obituary
Robert Lee Martin, age 89 passed away on February 23, 2015 after a short bout with pneumonia. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara Leet Martin, brother Howard Martin (Alice), sons Randy Martin (Zan), Richard Martin, and Rodney Martin (Melanie), grandchildren, Jason Martin (Mary) Aaron Martin, Chase Martin, Sarah Martin (Jody), Jackson Martin (Laura), Abraham Martin, Elias Martin (Kathryn) Nathanael Martin (Christine), Andrew Martin (Anna), Joseph Martin (Amber), Hannah Martin, Naomi Martin, Jonathon Martin and Jeff Grammer. Great grandchildren, Myrla Salters (Aaron), Zachary Martin (Alex) Mariya Martin, Jededia Martin, Odessa Van Gieason, Macklin Van Gieason, Maggie Martin, Grace Martin, Rebecca Martin, Fin Martin, Cora Martin, Malachi Martin and Vicki Jo Grammer. Great great grandchildren, Isaac Martin, Evalynn Martin and Elija Salters.
Bob was born in IL and graduated high school there where he served as president of his senior class. He also lived in KY, and moved to Nashville in 1950. He served in the Navy during WWII from 1944-1946, and as athletic as he was in high school playing football, basketball and running track, his athleticism payed off during boot camp at the Naval Training Station in Sampson, NY. Policy was that during training, whoever got to the rope first could swing across the river. Not many ever got to swing across the river but Bob.
He was assigned to the USS Valencia (AKA 81) as a seaman where he somehow talked the captain into bringing his motorcycle aboard. He loved to tell the story of telling the captain no when he asked if he could ride Bob’s motorcycle. Apparently the captain had been drinking. And then after the war, he often recalled how he revved the bike up and rode through the streets of Tokyo...that is until he realized maybe that was not such a safe idea. During his service, Bob traveled to Honolu, Eniwetok, Ulithi, Okinawa, Saipan, New Caledonia, Guam, Philippines, Wakayama & Nagoya Japan, Oregon, California, Panama Canal and New York. He was one of three people to decommission the ship in May of 1946 at the end of the war. At that time, his rank was third class storekeeper.
Bob went on to graduate from Bowling Green Business University, and marry Barbara Leet on August 22, 1947. He loved telling the story about how he had to sell his motorcycle to buy her a wedding ring. He quickly established himself as a successful CPA, a field in which he practiced for 60 years, many of them heading his own business. He was a passionate fan of Vanderbilt sports teams, and enjoyed years of taking his family to their 50-yard line reserved seats. He was an avid tennis player and has more winning trophies than the family can count. Those who had the privilege of knowing Bob will remember him as a kind, compassionate and giving man who loved his God, his church and his family above all else. He was an active member of New Life Baptist Church and only recently gave up his duties handling their finances.
Visitation will be Friday 6-8 PM, and Saturday 10-11 AM with service to follow at Spring Hill Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Rd., Nashville, TN. Pallbearers will be Jason Martin, Aaron Martin, Chase Martin, Jackson Martin, Abraham Martin and Andrew Martin.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to New Life Baptist Church,
4809 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
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