Hoyt Martin

Mr. Hoyt Martin, age 94, passed away on November 2, 2018 at Serenity Place Hospice in Dublin after a brief illness and extended struggle with dementia. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, November 5, 2018 at the First Christian with burial to follow at Westview Cemetery. Mr. Rodney Martin and Mr. Wade Wilson will officiate. Mr. Martin was born September 5, 1924 in Wrightsville, Georgia; he was the youngest son of Thomas Lenox and Amanda Florence Martin and was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Maynard Boatright, Theitis Martin Davis and Cohen Martin. Survived by his sweetheart and wife of nearly 70 years, Sara Perry Martin, they have one daughter, Marla Martin Morgan and her husband, Gus of LaGrange and one son, Rodney Hoyt Martin and his wife, Jan Williams Martin of Wrightsville. Mr. Martin has six grandchildren: Ashley Morgan and wife, Kirsten of Stamford, Connecticut; Brad Morgan and wife, Robyn of LaGrange; Stephanie Deal Johnson and husband, Mark of Milledgeville; Wiley Deal and wife, Summer of LaGrange; Anna Martin of Dublin; and Taylor Martin Outlaw and husband, Gabe of Danville. Lucas and Zachary Morgan, Evie Morgan, Sara and Marli Johnson and Lillie and Lennox Deal are Mr. Martin's 7 great-grandchildren. Mr. Martin was a life-long resident of Johnson County and attended Wrightsville High School where he was a standout football player described by area newspapers as "fleet-footed Martin". As a teenager, Mr. Martin joined the First Christian Church of Wrightsville where he served faithfully and with love throughout his life. He was the church treasurer and secretary for more than thirty years, a member of the church board and a deacon. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in February of 1943, where he trained as an armorer gunner on a B-24. He was honorably discharged in February 1946. After his discharge, he worked briefly as a wildlife ranger in Sumpter and Terrell counties and was Georgia's youngest ranger at that time. Mr. Martin began working with the U.S. Postal Service on August 16, 1948, first as a clerk, then transferring to a rural route. Each day was an adventure as he watched the changing of the seasons, the planting and harvesting of crops and sometimes finding delicious vegetables or freshly baked goodies tucked inside the mailboxes. He retired from the Post Office in July 1986 with 42 years of service. As a retiree, there was never a dull moment. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. As a lover of blue birds, he built, gave away and maintained many boxes. He also found time to do small chores for the widows of the church, to volunteer at the Golf Club and to work on small projects in his woodworking shop. Mr. Martin was a member of the local golf club, the Good Ole Boys golf group and the Mid-state Seniors golf group. He was a member of American Legion Post #44 and participated for 70 years designating him as the longest serving member. A "good and faithful servant", devoted husband and father, Mr. Martin will be greatly missed by family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Sunday, November 4, 2018 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Mr. Martin's memory be made to Serenity Place, 504 Parker Dairy Road, Dublin, GA 31021. Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Wrightsville Chapel has charge of funeral arrangements.