Kenneth Charles Martin

On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, Kenneth Charles Martin, dearly loved family man and respected coach and educator for over 33 years, passed away at the age of 85.

Ken was born on December 31, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Silas and Sylvia Martin. He grew up in St. Louis with his three brothers, Ron, George and Gary and sister Rada. So many stories have been told from those years together in St. Louis. After graduating high school, Ken played basketball at a local college in St. Louis and then enlisted in the Army. He played basketball, baseball and fastpitch softball in the Army. He was then recruited by Georgia Southern and went on to play basketball for the Eagles. He had a deadly bank shot and would even pull out the old hook shot when the moment was right. He met his future wife, Glenda on the side of the road with a flat tire on a country road in route to Georgia Southern. They went on to get married the day after graduating from Southern in 1967 where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education.  Ken went on to obtain his Master of Education degree in Health and Physical Education at Middle Tennessee State University. He began his teaching career at Dougherty County Schools in Albany, Georgia, where he served as a basketball, baseball, and football coach. There, his three children, Andrea, Gina, and Kacey were born. In 1981, he took a basketball coaching position at Coker College and he and his family moved to Hartsville, South Carolina. Ken spent six years coaching the Coker Cobras to many victories. In 1987, he accepted a high school coaching/teaching position at Johnson High School in Gainesville, Georgia. Here, he coached for 12 years and had the joy of coaching his son, Kacey Martin. He retired from teaching and coaching in 1999. Later that year, Ken was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame.

Ken had a great love for sports and competition. He was very invested in the lives of all the athletes who had the honor to play for him. He and his wife Glenda served as the leaders of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Johnson High School. In his free time, he loved fishing, tennis, golf, softball, racquetball, handball and working out. After retiring, he didn’t miss a minute where he could be a part of his son, Kacey’s high school basketball programs. In 2003, Ken became better known as “Pops.”  Countless hours were spent around the Martin pool with all seven of his grandkids. His love for sports allowed him many long conversations discussing sports trivia with his son, sons-in-law, and grandsons. Ken could spin a tail like no one else. He never let the full truth get in the way of a great story.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Silas and Sylvia Martin, brothers Ron and Gary Martin, as well as his in-laws, Homer and Ruby Johnson. He will forever be remembered by his wife, Glenda Johnson Martin. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2022. Ken will also be lovingly remembered by his daughter Andrea and husband Tom Brailey, his daughter Gina and husband Bryan Day and son Kacey Martin and wife Ashley, as well as their children, Ken’s grandchildren, Davis, Clara and Gracie Day, Mack and Beau Brailey and Haley and Brady Martin. In addition, Ken will be forever remembered by his brother George (Joan) Martin, his sister Rada (Nick) Robinson and sister-in-law Shirley Martin as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There will be a Receiving of Friends on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Celebration Church, 5560 Thompson Mill Road, Hoschton, GA 30548 followed by a celebration service of Ken’s life. Ken’s family would like to invite all friends and family to join them at the Del Webb at Chateau Elan Clubhouse following the church service at 5575 Napa Ridge Road. The Clubhouse is on the right.

Ken’s family would like to continue to spread Ken’s love for his community. If you would like to give, online donations can be made to Celebration Church at www.celebrationfamily.com/give with the memo line Ken Martin - Building Fund. Or mail to 5560 Thompson Mill Road, Hoschton, GA 30548.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.