Dr. Ernest Edward Martin, Jr. (1953 - 2017)

"Dr. Ernest Edward Martin, Jr. was called to his eternal home in Heaven on Friday, December 15, 2017 at the age of 64. He was born on April 18, 1953 in Salisbury, North Carolina to Ernest and Dorothy Martin.  He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Martin, and his 3 younger siblings, Debi Handy (Doug), Robert Martin, and Michael Martin.  He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Edward Martin, Sr. He moved to Baton Rouge in 1957 and is a proud alum of Baton Rouge Lutheran School and Baton Rouge High School. He resided in Baton Rouge until graduating from Louisiana State University in 1975 with Bachelor's and Master's of Science Degrees in Microbiology.  While attending LSU he met the love of his life and future wife of 40 years, Barbara Jan Betts Martin.  Throughout further education at LSU Medical School in New Orleans and University of Alabama Family Medicine Residency in Tuscaloosa to become a Family Physician, Ed and Jan raised 5 children: Sarah Marx (Eric) of Baton Rouge, Aaron Martin (Amanda) of Mandeville, Leah Guelker (Ben) of Boise, Adam Martin (Kim) of San Diego, and Simon Martin (Megan) of Houston.  Ed is also the proud grandfather ("Choo-Choo") of 10 grandchildren: Asher, Ethan, and Abby Marx (Sarah and Eric); Eden, AJ, Hannah, Micah, Reed Martin (Aaron and Amanda); Eli, Madeline Guelker (Leah and Ben).  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews: Michael Handy (Kelli), Christopher Handy (Nicole), Adele Goodloe (Britton), Craig Handy, Ginger Zipperer (Peter), Marcy Bernard (Matthew), Ryan Martin, Thomas Martin.  Ed instilled the importance of integrity, humility, and hard work to his entire family. During his first four years as a Family Physician, Ed worked with the Health Services Corp serving patients in Tarboro, North Carolina. Upon returning to Louisiana, Ed served at Ochsner Health System for over 30 years in increasing levels of responsibility, all while continuing to serve patients as a Family Physician.  Since September 2016 he was the Chief Medical Officer of the West Region for Ochsner Health System, covering the area from Hancock County, Mississippi to Lake Charles, Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, North Shore, and Saint Bernard Parish.  He continued to pursue further education throughout his career, including completing the Senior Executive Fellowship program at Harvard University and obtaining a Master of Medical Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University.  He was also an active member of the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians and always a team player.  In 2004 he played an integral role in securing the prescriptive authority for Physician Assistants in Louisiana. More important than his distinguished career, Ed was a continual witness, sharing his devout, saving faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Ed was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, LCMS in Mandeville, Louisiana.  He valued his church family and served them in various capacities, including Elder and Vice President.  During his free time, he enjoyed working in his yard, golfing, long road trips, snow skiing, and playing trains with his grandchildren. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church (10925 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA) from 9:00 am until the Funeral Service at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations of remembrance may be made to Baton Rouge Lutheran School (10925 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815) and/or the Arc Baton Rouge (8326 Kelwood Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806).