He was born on June 14, 1957 to Dorothy Lazenby Martin and Joseph Wade Martin in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 1979 and Wake Forest University Law School in 1982. He practiced law in Sarasota, Florida as well as Greensboro and Stokesdale, North Carolina. Though he was an attorney by trade, his passion was for writing and he was working on a novel for publication. He was a long-time fan of the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Indians along with Wake Forest basketball and football. He loved animals, working in the yard, reading, and sports.
Doug was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother, Joseph Martin, and his first wife, Elizabeth “Twig” Warrick Martin. He leaves a wife, Pauline Elizabeth “Betsy” Nowell; mother-in-law, Marina Nowell; sister-in-law, Margaret Nowell; brother-in-law, Robert Nowell (Bill); sister-in-law, Kathleen Martin; brother, Matthew Martin (Becky, Katherine, and Ben); and step daughter, Sarah Schumacher (Jeremy, Lauren, and Andrew).
The family would like to thank Terry and Kathy Thornett for their kindness, support, and friendship during the last years of Doug’s life. There were too many caregivers to name, but please know how much we appreciated your help.
Doug fought a brave fight and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. At his request, there will be a private family gathering at his Mother’s homeplace in Bluefield, Virginia. Donations can be made to Hospice or Wake Forest University.
