Calvin Ray Martin

Calvin Ray Martin, World War II Veteran, of Sun City, Bluffton, South Carolina, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Mr. Martin was born in Leaksville, North Carolina (now named Eden) on May 21, 1925. Having reached the age of 100 years and 7 and ½ months, he holds the honor of being the only one in his family to become a Centenarian! He is the son of the late Hughes Martin, Sr. and Eva Martin. Calvin was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Iona (Frankenfield) Martin, whom he has deeply missed for the past 23 years; his sisters Evelyn Mace (Marshall) and Frances Rhodes (Sam); brother Hughes Martin, Jr. (Rhetta); and many other cherished members of his extended family.

Calvin spent his entire childhood and teenage years in Eden, NC. Upon his graduation from Leaksville High School, Calvin was drafted. He enlisted in the US Navy Seabees serving as a Construction Mechanic from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. He was deployed to Hawaii, Tinian, and Okinawa. While stationed on the island of Tinian in the Western Pacific Ocean, Calvin helped build the North Field where the Enola Gay and Bockscar B-29 bombers launched and dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 ending the war. At the New Jersey Navy Ball in October 2011, Calvin was awarded the World War II Good Conduct Medal for his exemplary service during the conflict, an award that was 65 years overdue. He was always very proud of his military service. During his retirement years, Calvin was rarely seen without his WW II Combat Veteran hat or one of his Navy Seabee caps. Calvin held Lifetime Memberships with the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Inc. and the Sun City Veterans Association.

After the war ended, Calvin married his sweetheart, Iona, who was from Somerville, New Jersey. The newlyweds moved to Eden following their marriage. They returned to NJ after a few years and finally settled in Bridgewater where Calvin remained until moving to Sun City in 2013. In fact, Calvin drove his 2010 Red Mustang 780 miles from NJ to SC with his daughter Carol as his co-pilot.

Calvin held many interesting jobs during a career of more than 40 years. While employed at the Union Steel Corporation, Piscataway, NJ, during the 1960s, world famous artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell painted a portrait of Calvin Martin titled “Tube Mill Operator.” The painting was featured in a 1967 booklet titled “The Men & Machines of Modern Steelmaking’ as part of an advertising campaign for Union Steel’s parent company, Sharon Steel Corporation. Calvin later attended night school at Somerset County Vocational and Technical Schools in NJ where he graduated top in his class and earned a diploma in Electrical Construction. He was employed as a maintenance engineer and electrician at several firms in NJ, including Biosearch Medical Products, Inc. where he worked until his retirement. Calvin was a master car mechanic, carpenter, electrician, plumber, painter, handy-man, inventor, and problem-solver. He truly believed in the Seabees’ “Can Do” mantra and lived it every day of his life.

Calvin and Iona were loving and devoted parents to their two daughters and adoring grandparents, who valued family above all else. In his younger days, Calvin enjoyed boating, waterskiing, day trips to the beach, Sunday drivers in the country, hiking, camping, and biking with his wife and family. As empty-nesters, Calvin and Iona spent many vacations at Nags Head, NC, which was their all-time favorite beach. They also enjoyed road trips to New England and to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and North Carolina.

After moving to SC, Calvin enjoyed riding throughout Sun City in his snazzy four-seat, Low-Speed Vehicle golf cart with the American flag fluttering. He liked waving at his neighbors and honking his brass car horn now and then at passers-by. Calvin was also content to spend time at home overlooking the beautiful lagoon and fountain behind his house and watching the golfers at hole number 12. Calvin enjoyed meeting people and having meaningful conversations about current events, family, and his military service. He was a beloved neighbor wherever he lived.

Calvin was a long-time member of the Bound Brook United Methodist Church in NJ and transferred to the Bluffton United Methodist Church when he moved to SC. For many years, he served as Head Usher and volunteered at the church regularly. Calvin’s strong faith remained with him throughout his long life and up until the very end. He will be fondly remembered as a man of integrity and deep conviction; a wonderful, loving, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather; a source of pride and happiness for his parents; a cherished sibling and cousin; a revered uncle; and a trusted friend and neighbor to many. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him and loved him.

Mr. Martin is survived by his daughters, Debra (Martin) Norman and partner, Franklin E. Kock, and Carol Martin Rutgers and husband James E. Rutgers; granddaughter Amanda and step-grandsons Geoffrey (Erin) and Christopher (Nicole); great-granddaughter Vida and step-greatgrandchildren Isabella, Eli, Alex, Ivan, Lilly and Anna; and sisters-in-law, Maryanne (Frankenfield) Hagenbrock, Peggy (Hunt) Frankenfield, and Barbara (Agans) Frankenfield. He also leaves behind a host of cherished nieces and nephews, neighbors, and friends.

A private gathering in remembrance of Mr. Martin will be held early in February 2026 for close family and friends. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Calvin Martin’s memory may donate to a charity of your choice. The family invites you to share your memories or stories by signing the online Guestbook and by uploading your favorite photos of Calvin.

Calvin R. Martin has earned his final salute and joins the ranks of those who served. Interment will take place with military honors at a later date at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC. Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton handled the arrangements for cremation.