Catawba - Mr. Clifford Otto Martin, 83, died Monday, July 4, 2016, at his home.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Philadelphia UMC, Fort Mill with Rev. Becky Shirley officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Clifford Otto Martin was born February 12, 1933 in West Columbia, West Virginia. Mr. Martin was a son of the late Cecil Theodore Martin and Eunice Fowler Martin. He grew up during the Great Depression and World War II on his family's modest farm. He attended school and church, played, hunted and fished with friends. His values were shaped by his mother's faith, his father's work ethic, and the larger-than-life characters he discovered in books and radio shows of those days, especially The Lone Ranger.
He was drafted by the Army for the Korean War and attended training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. In the Republic of Korea he was promoted to the rank of corporal and he served as a tank crewman and military policeman. In his spare time, he sang with two buddies and entertained fellow soldiers with songs by popular groups (e.g., country and western music legends Johnny and Jack).
Following his honorable discharge, Mr. Martin moved to Ohio where he began a career in manufacturing with North American Aviation. He attended church and sang as a member of a gospel quartet. He enjoyed studying the Bible and sharing his knowledge with others. In the 1970's, he was hired by General Tire and Rubber Company in Charlotte, NC, where he was well respected, and quickly promoted to supervisor.
After retiring from General Tire, Mr. Martin continued to work for as long as he was physically able. He, and wife Lois, managed an assisted living facility, in Johnstown, Ohio for a couple of years; and afterward enjoyed working, as a courier, for Sherer Dental Lab in Rock Hill.
Mr. Martin will be remembered as a caring, tender hearted person who was, first and foremost, a wonderful Christian man.
Surviving are his daughter, Connie; his son, Randy; a sister, Evelyn Roush; 6 grandchildren, Amber, Dustin, Emily, Kelly, Christina and Joshua; and 3 great-grandchildren, Ashlynn, Xavier and Xander. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Lois Elaine Savage Martin; a daughter, Cathy Martin High; a brother, Chester Martin and a sister, Wilma VanMeter.
Whitesell Funeral Home is serving the family.
Saturday, July 09, 2016
2:00 PM
Philadelphia UMC
1691 SC-160
Fort Mill, SC 29708
Saturday, July 09, 2016
3:00 PM
Philadelphia UMC
1691 SC-160
Fort Mill, SC 29708
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