Donald Eugene Martin, Jr.

Donald “Donny” E. Martin, Jr., 78 of Bluffton, SC, passed peacefully at home on June 24, 2022, surrounded by loved ones after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on April 10, 1944 in Savannah, Don’s roots were firmly planted in Lawrenceville, GA where he spent most of his life, with over 4 generations before him. Growing up he picked apples via boat as Lake Lanier filled, cruised the square, worked at the Buford drive-in, and cut up with his cousins. Don enjoyed a good laugh, the Braves, UGA football, boating, dancing and golfing; he was a long-standing member of Berkeley Hills CC, Hamilton Mill CC and Dalton CC. A graduate of Central Gwinnett HS (62) and Emory at Oxford, he attended UGA before joining the Navy, finishing his studies at University of CA, San Jose.

In the Navy, Don was stationed at Moffett Field, with two tours overseas during the Vietnam War. His recon and surveillance unit flew the P3C “Charlie” below radar, behind enemy lines. While stationed in CA, Don was lucky enough to meet the love of his life, Brenda Wilcox; they married in December 1970.

Don adored his wife, Brenda, his girls, his grandchildren and his family; he loved quietly, but he loved BIG. He was a hard worker and wonderful provider, something he learned from his father, “Big Don”. He had a successful career in the carpet industry, spanning almost 5 decades. Over the years, business associates became his “Dalton family” - he built many lasting friendships. As a Lawrenceville native, Don’s life-long friends were also important - he cherished each and every one.

According to Don, you must love animals, otherwise “you just weren’t right”. From spiders to snakes, fish, horses, birds, cats, dogs - at some point, he brought just about all of them into the family. The phrase, “quick, get a box” was often heard as he ran to rescue another creature.

Don was preceded in death by his loving parents, Don E. Martin, Sr and “Charlie” Martin, Lawrenceville, GA; in-laws John Allen Wilcox and Gladys Grigsby Wilcox, Lawrenceville, GA; grandparents, Peter Kuhll Martin, Sr and Bonnie Inez Baugh Martin, Lawrenceville, GA and Rodney L. Lane and Ludelia Ennis Lane, Pembroke, GA; great aunts and uncles, Kathlyn Kuhll Martin Knight, Peter Kuhl Martin, Jr “Boots” and Clara Cornelia Martin Hood, as well as eight aunts and uncles on the Lane side. Don is survived by his wife of 51 years, Brenda L. Martin, Bluffton, SC; daughters and son-in-laws, Stacy Martin Gusek and Craig, Braselton, GA, Katie Martin Pierce and Curt, Bluffton, SC and Donna Meghan Hall and Patrick, Bluffton, SC; grandchildren, Ansley Morgan, Avery Madison, Ashton Martin and Alyssa Mae Pierce and Gabriel Lane Gusek; sister and brother-in-law, Linda Martin Taylor and Mike, Jackson, MS; nieces and nephew, Melissa Lane Taylor (Hoyt), Michael Dow Taylor and Kelly (Dow III, George and Price), Tatum Taylor Fichthorn and John (Daisy, Jack and Storey); numerous cousins from the Martin, Lane, Knight, Hood and Wilcox families.

There will be a celebration of life in Bluffton, SC on July 30th; in lieu of flowers please donate in memory of Don E. Martin Jr to either the Hilton Head Humane Association www.hhhumane.org/?page_id=603 or the P4 Childhood Cancer Foundation www.p4foundation.org/ .