Dr.Earl H. Martin, 99, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2023. He was born on August 5, 1923, in Corbin, KY, the son of the late Henrietta and Henry Martin.
He was married to his high school sweetheart, Ruth Adams (deceased 2014) for seventy years; they are now joined together for eternity. There is no greater love than having parents who adored each other. They were a beautiful example of faithfulness, devotion, kindness, and patience.
Earl attended Murray State University and the University of Kentucky before enlisting in the Army where he served for twenty-two months in Europe as a radio operator with the 987th Field Artillery. A veteran of World War II who earned five battle stars and other decorations, his campaigns included Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.
Earl received his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and his PhD at Florida State University. He played professionally in the Cincinnati Opera Orchestra and Symphony and dance bands throughout a long career. Dr. Martin was music director at Hendersonville High School and Ninth Avenue School (An advocate for civil rights, he began the music program at Ninth Avenue School many years before integration.) in Hendersonville, NC, for twenty of the happiest years of his life. He also directed music programs in his church and community for thirty years, lectured and taught trumpet at FSU, was chairman of the music department at Williamsville High School in Williamsville, NY, and taught in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In later years, Earl and Ruth owned and operated Martin Printing in Rock Hill, SC.
Dr. Martin's passion in life was music. Even though he aspired to play professionally, his extensive teaching career inspired hundreds of students to love, appreciate, and master playing the greats---Bach, Mozart, Wagner, and Sousa---but mostly his students learned self-discipline, responsibility, respect of yourself and others, and the highest standard of excellence in all endeavors of life. Being so very humble, he never credited himself as a master teacher, emphasizing that what makes a great teacher are great students.
A spiritual, God-centered man, Earl spent every day meditating and praising God for His glory. He was a devoted member of Group Avatar and Ascended and Free and attended St. John's United Methodist Church and Unity of Rock Hill. Walking the path of righteousness with his every thought, word, and deed, Earl was a disciple of Christ. His contagious positivity inspired others to surround themselves with faith and joy.
Always encouraging and believing in his children and grandchildren, the biggest fan and devoted supporter at all his kids' concerts, sports, school, and church events, he leaves to cherish his memory, his four children and their spouses: Elaine Corkery, Spring, TX, Sharon Wells and husband Tim, Cornelius, NC, David Martin and wife Kim, Norcross, GA, and Debbie Steele and husband Tim, Rock Hill, SC. He has ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, and three siblings: Henry, Harold, and Lucille Martin.
The family is deeply indebted to the loving care that Dave and Kim Martin provided Dad the last six years of his life.
He was married to his high school sweetheart, Ruth Adams (deceased 2014) for seventy years; they are now joined together for eternity. There is no greater love than having parents who adored each other. They were a beautiful example of faithfulness, devotion, kindness, and patience.
Earl attended Murray State University and the University of Kentucky before enlisting in the Army where he served for twenty-two months in Europe as a radio operator with the 987th Field Artillery. A veteran of World War II who earned five battle stars and other decorations, his campaigns included Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.
Earl received his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and his PhD at Florida State University. He played professionally in the Cincinnati Opera Orchestra and Symphony and dance bands throughout a long career. Dr. Martin was music director at Hendersonville High School and Ninth Avenue School (An advocate for civil rights, he began the music program at Ninth Avenue School many years before integration.) in Hendersonville, NC, for twenty of the happiest years of his life. He also directed music programs in his church and community for thirty years, lectured and taught trumpet at FSU, was chairman of the music department at Williamsville High School in Williamsville, NY, and taught in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In later years, Earl and Ruth owned and operated Martin Printing in Rock Hill, SC.
Dr. Martin's passion in life was music. Even though he aspired to play professionally, his extensive teaching career inspired hundreds of students to love, appreciate, and master playing the greats---Bach, Mozart, Wagner, and Sousa---but mostly his students learned self-discipline, responsibility, respect of yourself and others, and the highest standard of excellence in all endeavors of life. Being so very humble, he never credited himself as a master teacher, emphasizing that what makes a great teacher are great students.
A spiritual, God-centered man, Earl spent every day meditating and praising God for His glory. He was a devoted member of Group Avatar and Ascended and Free and attended St. John's United Methodist Church and Unity of Rock Hill. Walking the path of righteousness with his every thought, word, and deed, Earl was a disciple of Christ. His contagious positivity inspired others to surround themselves with faith and joy.
Always encouraging and believing in his children and grandchildren, the biggest fan and devoted supporter at all his kids' concerts, sports, school, and church events, he leaves to cherish his memory, his four children and their spouses: Elaine Corkery, Spring, TX, Sharon Wells and husband Tim, Cornelius, NC, David Martin and wife Kim, Norcross, GA, and Debbie Steele and husband Tim, Rock Hill, SC. He has ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, and three siblings: Henry, Harold, and Lucille Martin.
The family is deeply indebted to the loving care that Dave and Kim Martin provided Dad the last six years of his life.
Dr.Earl H. Martin, 99, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2023. He was born on August 5, 1923, in Corbin, KY, the son of the late Henrietta and Henry Martin.
He was married to his high school sweetheart, Ruth Adams (deceased 2014) for seventy years; they are now joined together for eternity. There is no greater love than having parents who adored each other. They were a beautiful example of faithfulness, devotion, kindness, and patience.
Earl attended Murray State University and the University of Kentucky before enlisting in the Army where he served for twenty-two months in Europe as a radio operator with the 987th Field Artillery. A veteran of World War II who earned five battle stars and other decorations, his campaigns included Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.
Earl received his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and his PhD at Florida State University. He played professionally in the Cincinnati Opera Orchestra and Symphony and dance bands throughout a long career. Dr. Martin was music director at Hendersonville High School and Ninth Avenue School (An advocate for civil rights, he began the music program at Ninth Avenue School many years before integration.) in Hendersonville, NC, for twenty of the happiest years of his life. He also directed music programs in his church and community for thirty years, lectured and taught trumpet at FSU, was chairman of the music department at Williamsville High School in Williamsville, NY, and taught in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In later years, Earl and Ruth owned and operated Martin Printing in Rock Hill, SC.
Dr. Martin's passion in life was music. Even though he aspired to play professionally, his extensive teaching career inspired hundreds of students to love, appreciate, and master playing the greats---Bach, Mozart, Wagner, and Sousa---but mostly his students learned self-discipline, responsibility, respect of yourself and others, and the highest standard of excellence in all endeavors of life. Being so very humble, he never credited himself as a master teacher, emphasizing that what makes a great teacher are great students.
A spiritual, God-centered man, Earl spent every day meditating and praising God for His glory. He was a devoted member of Group Avatar and Ascended and Free and attended St. John's United Methodist Church and Unity of Rock Hill. Walking the path of righteousness with his every thought, word, and deed, Earl was a disciple of Christ. His contagious positivity inspired others to surround themselves with faith and joy.
Always encouraging and believing in his children and grandchildren, the biggest fan and devoted supporter at all his kids' concerts, sports, school, and church events, he leaves to cherish his memory, his four children and their spouses: Elaine Corkery, Spring, TX, Sharon Wells and husband Tim, Cornelius, NC, David Martin and wife Kim, Norcross, GA, and Debbie Steele and husband Tim, Rock Hill, SC. He has ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, and three siblings: Henry, Harold, and Lucille Martin.
The family is deeply indebted to the loving care that Dave and Kim Martin provided Dad the last six years of his life.
He was married to his high school sweetheart, Ruth Adams (deceased 2014) for seventy years; they are now joined together for eternity. There is no greater love than having parents who adored each other. They were a beautiful example of faithfulness, devotion, kindness, and patience.
Earl attended Murray State University and the University of Kentucky before enlisting in the Army where he served for twenty-two months in Europe as a radio operator with the 987th Field Artillery. A veteran of World War II who earned five battle stars and other decorations, his campaigns included Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.
Earl received his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and his PhD at Florida State University. He played professionally in the Cincinnati Opera Orchestra and Symphony and dance bands throughout a long career. Dr. Martin was music director at Hendersonville High School and Ninth Avenue School (An advocate for civil rights, he began the music program at Ninth Avenue School many years before integration.) in Hendersonville, NC, for twenty of the happiest years of his life. He also directed music programs in his church and community for thirty years, lectured and taught trumpet at FSU, was chairman of the music department at Williamsville High School in Williamsville, NY, and taught in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In later years, Earl and Ruth owned and operated Martin Printing in Rock Hill, SC.
Dr. Martin's passion in life was music. Even though he aspired to play professionally, his extensive teaching career inspired hundreds of students to love, appreciate, and master playing the greats---Bach, Mozart, Wagner, and Sousa---but mostly his students learned self-discipline, responsibility, respect of yourself and others, and the highest standard of excellence in all endeavors of life. Being so very humble, he never credited himself as a master teacher, emphasizing that what makes a great teacher are great students.
A spiritual, God-centered man, Earl spent every day meditating and praising God for His glory. He was a devoted member of Group Avatar and Ascended and Free and attended St. John's United Methodist Church and Unity of Rock Hill. Walking the path of righteousness with his every thought, word, and deed, Earl was a disciple of Christ. His contagious positivity inspired others to surround themselves with faith and joy.
Always encouraging and believing in his children and grandchildren, the biggest fan and devoted supporter at all his kids' concerts, sports, school, and church events, he leaves to cherish his memory, his four children and their spouses: Elaine Corkery, Spring, TX, Sharon Wells and husband Tim, Cornelius, NC, David Martin and wife Kim, Norcross, GA, and Debbie Steele and husband Tim, Rock Hill, SC. He has ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, and three siblings: Henry, Harold, and Lucille Martin.
The family is deeply indebted to the loving care that Dave and Kim Martin provided Dad the last six years of his life.
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