Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510090057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Martin died Thursday at the age of 90, and friends from his long years of service to the community remember him for his valuable contributions to such groups as the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.
"He never took a bow," said Paul Buford, who is retired from Crestar Bank. "He was always in the background."
Buford, who saw Martin at a party last week, recalled a time when the symphony was hard pressed for money, so Martin helped raise what it needed.
Buford used to see Martin at the Colonial Arms building at Jefferson Street and Campbell Avenue, where Martin served as building manager for many years. He retired in 1992 at age 88 - and then only because the building's largest remaining tenant, Norfolk Southern, moved to new offices on Williamson Road.
Martin stayed with the Colonial Arms even after Crestar Bank sold it.
"When they sold the building, I told them they sold John with it," Buford said with a chuckle.
Martin was about 7 years old when his family moved to Virginia Heights. It was a time when a boy could ride a streetcar downtown for a nickel, according to a 1992 interview.
In 1925, he graduated in Jefferson High School's first class and later attended Virginia Tech.
His career took any number of twists and turns from jerking sodas and washing dishes to spotting gas wells for 25 cents an hour. He held the post of deputy city treasurer for 11 years and later ran unsuccessfully for treasurer.
He managed the Roanoke Credit Men's Association, which he called one of his best jobs, from 1952 until the 1970s when it merged with the Roanoke Merchants Association.
Through all of his business pursuits, Martin found the time to volunteer for the Salvation Army and lead a Boy Scout troop. He found the most satisfaction as president of the Society for the Crippled of Southwest Virginia in which he helped buy wheelchairs and assist disabled children.
He also supported the Miss Virginia Pageant for more than 30 years and was named an emeritus member of the board of directors two years ago.
"He was just one of the finest men I knew and certainly a great part of the Miss Virginia Pageant," said Margaret Baker, the pageant's executive director.
John Clarke, who knew Martin for at least 30 years through the Roanoke Booster Club, admired Martin, a man he said never had an enemy.
"He set a great example for other people."
by CNB