Glenn Alexander Martin

Glenn Alexander Martin, 72, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Sunday evening at his home surrounded by his loving family. Glenn was born in Columbus, Georgia to Emmie Leonard Martin and Homer Glenn Martin on Septmber3, 1945.

He graduated from Columbus High School in 1963 followed by a degree in Business from Georgia State University. While in High School he started a scuba diving shop as well as three bands that performed at the Ft. Benning Army Base and numerous weddings. In 1968 Glenn moved to Atlanta to work for Addressograph Multigraph. In 1980, he joined Ken Chambliss, a high school friend, and worked as the National Marketing Manager for Video Tape Associates, a postproduction TV facility. In 1981 Glenn married the love of his life, Karen Schoonover, at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church.  The couple then honeymooned in Tahiti. In 1988 Glenn and Karen moved to Gainesville.  They were members of First Baptist Church on Green Street, and members of the Covenant Sunday School class.

In March 1992 they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Laura Lee and in June 1996 the birth of their son Alexander Christian.  Laura and Alex were the joy of his life and provided him with many proud moments, Laura achieving Girl Scout Gold and Alex Eagle Scout.

Glenn and Karen and their children joined Lakewood Baptist Church and have been longtime members. They have been active members of the Revolution Small Group.

Glenn’s greatest joy was traveling with his family.  His wife Karen’s 40-year career as a Delta Flight Attendant offered many of their travel opportunities.  Destinations included Tahiti, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and many other US destinations.

Glenn was blessed with a “can-do” attitude and the belief that, with God’s blessing, he could do anything.  With that belief, in 2008 he started his own company, Automated Digital Display Systems, which designed and built large automated theatres for the US Forest Service from California to Alaska. Other compliments to Glenn’s many talents included maintaining equipment for The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and The Federal Reserve Money Museum. He also designed and built equipment for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Glenn was an avid water and snow skier. His many hobbies and interest also included photography, hang gliding, and scuba diving. He achieved “Extra Class” in amateur radio, and his call, W4GM, was known around the world.  He loved serving his church and set up a live broadcast system for First Baptist Church, greatly improving the listening quality for members and guest.

In 2016 Glenn was diagnosed with ALS disease. Even after the devastating news, He still felt he had always been blessed and whenever asked about his disease he would say “I’m praying and fighting”.  In the first year of his disease he and Karen traveled to Australia for experimental treatment that gave some hope for slowing the progression of the disease.  It was unsuccessful. In the second year of his battle the FDA approved the first “new” medication in 22 years.  He received 79 of the treatments without any positive results.  But as Glenn always said “It is in God’s Hands”.

He had life ranked this way:  God first, then family, then friends and “stuff” last, all those things people think will make them happy.  One of his favorite sayings from an old Baptist preacher: “I’ve done a lot of weddings and funerals but I’ve never done a funeral with a U-haul being towed behind the hearse”.  Glenn always said, “Life is too short not to enjoy it, because we’re only here for a heartbeat in the scope of things”.  He lived his life by these words.

Glenn is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karen Schoonover Martin, his daughter Laura Lee Martin and his son Alexander Christian Martin, his best friend Skipper Barfield, numerous friends and others he loved like family.  All who were blessed to know him will miss Glenn, his infectious sense of humor and his playful spirit. A special word of thanks to Devin Smith and Lisa Crumley for their loving care during Glenn’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to:

Lakewood Bapt. Church, 2235 Thompson Bridge Rd.Gainesville, GA 30501

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospice, 2150 Limestone Pkwy Ste 222

Gainesville, GA 30501  or The ALS Association www.alsa.org

Visitation is at Little-Davenport Funeral Home on Friday, April 6, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services are Saturday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at Lakewood Baptist Church – Chapel. Internment at 4:30 at Riverdale Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.