Mr. William Carl Martin

William Carl Martin 85 of Concord, North Carolina passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 21, 2016. Born April 6, 1931 in Brownwood, Texas he was the son of the late Lorene Staley and William Jefferson Martin. He served in the United States Marine Corps and is a veteran of the Korean War, landed at Inchon with the 1st Marine Division, fought at the famous battle of the Chosin Reservoir (The Frozen Chosin) and many other campaigns. He attended Exeter High School in Exeter, California. Studied Systems & Control Engineering at Fresno State U., UCLA, UCI and had his PhD in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Retired from IBM where he holds a minimum of 7 patents for his designs and taught at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC; Barber Scotia University in Concord, NC and was an Information Systems Instructor at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) from which he also retired. He taught himself to play the guitar when he was a young boy and could play classical, flamenco, Mississippi Blues and many other styles. He later taught himself to play Claw Hammer Banjo. He was interested in the preservation of “old timey” folk music and has a Youtube channel “banjodr1”which is dedicated to that preservation. He also wrote and posted several of his own songs. He loved black and white photography which had also been a passion of his since childhood and even won some awards. He also loved to read and write poetry as well. Some of his accomplishments were the pen used for electronic signatures, the oscillating laser used to scan UPC codes, and many other projects. He also helped develop several Satellites used in the defense of our country and has a letter from President George H. Bush thanking him for his work on the satellite used to track down the mobile Scud launchers used by the Iraqi forces during “Operation Desert Storm.” In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter Darlene of whom he said, “I’m excited about seeing her again!” He is survived by his wife Helen Kagy Martin whom he met when she was 12 years old, stating “She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen!” They went on their first “chaperoned” date when she was 14 and they later married on December 24, 1951 and have loved one another ever since. He is also survived by his remaining children, Lorrie Roper of Petersburg, VA, William Martin and wife Pattie of Locust, NC and Larry Martin of Concord, NC as well as his grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as Bill and Dorit Kagy whom he loved very much. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 AM – Tuesday (June 28) at the VA National Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the US Marines. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army of the givers choice. We want to thank everyone at Pruitt Healthcare in Harrisburg, NC and Pruitt Hospice for their kindness and dedication to our father and our family. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Martin family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneral.com.

Mr. William Carl Martin

April 6, 1931 - June 21, 2016