Columbus “Junior” Martin Jr. passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 25, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis following a medical emergency. His family was lovingly by his side.
Born May 21, 1955, to Josephine Harris and Columbus Martin Sr., Junior lived his high-spirited and ornery early years in Kosciusko County with his seven siblings and close family and friends both nearby and in Prestonsburg, Ky. He married Becky Graves on Oct. 19, 1974, where they raised a family in the Warsaw area before relocating to Whitestown in 2019. Both were looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary later this year.
Junior started a career at Armstrong Products Company (now AkzoNobel) in 1972. At the time of his retirement, he was the manufacturing process manager - retiring in 2009. Above all else, he loved and was proud of his family.
Gatherings brought him much joy whether cheering on his beloved Bears, Yankees and Hoosiers, or simply coming together around a meal or the euchre table. He embraced the opportunity to coach and mentor his sons and area student-athletes, particularly in basketball. In recent years, his focus shifted to introducing his granddaughters to a host of activities from fishing to athletics to creative projects. He was charmed that his sons found their own families loving his daughters-in-law and granddaughters greater than he ever imagined possible. Moving to Whitestown from Claypool was a change that brought much uncertainty, but Junior enjoyed his daily walks around the neighborhood checking in and speaking with his many neighbors and new friends. And there was not a dog within walking radius who did not look forward to seeing Junior - the highlight of their day - as he provided them with a steady supply of treats.
His car detailing and lawn care skills were legendary among family, friends, and neighbors - many of whom will carry on that knowledge as both a blessing and a cross to bear. Junior was strong-willed and persistent and had an enormous heart with a keen sense of humor. He was generous, loyal and kind. He was clever, a shrewd observer and resourceful filled by the knowledge gained through a life of seeking and finding authentic experiences. He will be remembered for all the trust he shared with his friends and family. He loved each exceedingly through his actions and words - if you knew him, you knew it. When his time came, he fought with dignity, strength, and still thinking of others first. He will be missed dearly and daily.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Becky Graves Martin; two sons, Ryan Martin and wife, Abigail Reames, of Savannah, Ga.; Trenton Martin and wife, April, of Zionsville; and two granddaughters, Roslyn and Elena Martin, of Zionsville. He is survived by three sisters: Mary Prout, Warsaw; Anna Bailey, Pierceton; and Christine Love, Middlebury; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Columbus Martin Sr. and Josephine Martin Norris; a brother, Grover Martin; and sisters: Kate Nienow, Helen Melkonian and Sarah Working.
Junior wished that no services be held, certainly no pomp and circumstance. A celebration of life will occur with details to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in support of the Baker Youth Club (Warsaw, Indiana) 1401 E. Smith St., Warsaw, IN 46580, https://www.bakeryouthclub.com/ or a preferred Kosciusko County charity or nonprofit.
Services have been entrusted to Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Care of Zionsville.