LEE WILDER MARTIN's Obituary
PERRY –
Coach Lee Wilder Martin, 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 19, 2022, after an extended illness. Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at The Way Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., and the Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Mike Britt and Reverend Bob Powell, Coach Martin’s son-in-law, will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Kindred Hospice, 105 Jim Mason Court, #100, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088.
Lee was born in Perry on March 12, 1944 to the late Wilson and Una Wilder Martin. He became a star athlete at Perry High School as the football quarterback during his freshman year. He played tennis and was a state champion doubles player. While all sports attracted the talented young player, it was basketball to which Lee devoted most of his time. While playing on the Perry High School team led by the spectacular Coach Eric Staples, Lee developed his skills and became an excellent basketball player. He was a member of the state champion basketball teams and accepted a full-ride scholarship to the University of Georgia. Upon graduation from Perry High School in 1962, Lee moved to Athens where he continued his basketball career and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Soon after he returned to Perry in 1966, he began his basketball coaching career at Northside High School. He spent a few years at the Westfield School and at River North Academy, and returned to Georgia Southwestern College for his Master’s Degree in Physical Education. Coach Martin eventually found his niche as Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, and Assistant Headmaster at Windsor Academy from where he retired after over thirty years as a teacher and coach.
Soon after leaving education, Lee accepted a position as Event Coordinator at Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agri-Center. He met many friends and helped establish numerous annual events held at GNFA through his ten years of service with them. After officially retiring, Lee enjoyed working in his yard, nurturing and grooming his plants and flowers, as well as planting a garden in which to grow vegetables to be able to share with his family and friends. He spent time at the Family Hunting Club and could often be found watching his grandchildren play ball or watching football on tv, particularly high school football games and his Georgia Bulldogs. Lee was a member of Perry United Methodist Church.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents.
Left to cherish the memories of Lee are his loving and devoted wife of fifty-one years, Dohnna Collins Martin of Perry; his daughter and son-in-law, Ami Lee and Rev. Bob Powell of Douglas, Georgia; his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Jennifer Martin of Kathleen; his grandchildren, Hannah Lee Powell, Eason Martin, and Maddie Grace Martin; his siblings, Wilson Martin (Mildred) of Inverness, Florida, Joe Martin (Pattie) of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Jean Martin Davis (Bobby) of Perry; and several nieces and nephews.
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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