Kenneth Walter Martin

On Thursday September 10th Kenneth Walter Martin (Ken), A wonderful husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 95.

Ken was born on June 4th 1925 in Wyndmere, North Dakota to Walter and Esther Martin. In 1938, after struggling with the cold and sickness, the family moved to Starke Florida where they were blessed to be able to purchase a 40 acre farm. In 1943 after graduating Bradford High, Ken joined the Navy. Two years later, when WWII had ended, Ken left the Navy. While hitchhiking to Stetson University, where he would finish his college, Jean Williams, with her mother driving, and sister in the car, noticed Ken’s Stetson banner, where they were also going, and gave him a ride. Three months later Ken and Jean were married. Later they moved to a new house in Jacksonville where they raised three children.

Ken always loved his family first and, as a hobby and profession, cars. He became a top car salesman until he opened his own dealership where his three kids also worked with him.

Ken is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jean, their children Jan, Keith and Kevin, grandchildren Kristin, Christopher, Brandon and Lee, also two great grandchildren, Everly and Jack.

Services will be held Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Restoration Church, 1677 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville Fl. Visitation from 11:00 to 12:00 and the memorial service at 12:00, the grave site service will follow at Chapel Hills Cemetery.

H.M. “Hank” Forbes Jr. of Giddens-Reed Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 904-266-2337. Please sign the online guestbook at www.giddensreedfh.com.

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