Mike Martin

Dr. Joseph Michael “Mike” Martin passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025, after a long illness. He attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, Christian Brothers High School, and graduated from Christian Brothers College in 1957—the same year, on August 31st, that he married the love of his life, June Ann Dunlap Martin. Together they adopted four children: Charlie & Susan Dunlap and Michael & Elizabeth Martin. During his youth, Mike was very involved with St. Peter’s Orphanage along with his father who served as scout master at the orphanage, “Mickey” garnered an honorary orphan status, and he remained close with many of the friends he made during this time. Mike worked in the security office of the FBI and earned his MA degree from Memphis State University. He began his teaching career in 1959 at Catholic High School for Boys and was one of only a handful of faculty members asked to remain on the staff when three Heritage schools were consolidated in 1970. During this difficult transition, Mike’s strict but unconditional tough love, along with his tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, helped endear him to the students from all three schools who were affected by the change.

In 1974, Mike accepted a position as Principal at St. John’s Elementary School and he remained in that position for five years before accepting an administrative position in Financial Aid at Christian Brothers University. During these years, he completed his EdD in Educational Leadership at Mississippi State University.

Retiring from CBU in 1981, Mike opened his own successful accounting firm which he operated for many years prior. His accounting skills were held in such high regard that, when he was on the faculty at Catholic High he helped set up an accounting system for the schools of the Diocese of Nashville which, at the time, covered the entire State of Tennessee.

A long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, Mike joined Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi and, as Chairman of their Finance Committee, he was instrumental in securing property where the church and rectory reside.

Throughout his career in education, Mike dedicated his life to spreading his Catholic faith and molding the hearts and minds of young men and women. He was an ardent fan of Notre Dame and never passed up an opportunity to go fishing. He was devoted to his family, friends, and faith.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Dr. Charles Dunlap and Michael Kevin Martin, his parents, Michael and Anna Fitzsimmons Martin, his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret Anne and Robert “Bob” Marshall, and his brother, W.L. “Buddy” Martin.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, June Ann Dunlap Martin, his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Timothy Johnson, Susie Dunlap, his brother-in-law, David (Pamela) Dunlap, his nephews, nieces and their spouses: Larry and Gayle Martin, Janet and John Quinn, Chuck and Debbie Martin, Louise and Bill Carpenter, Bishop Robert Marshall, Jr., and Patrick and Cheryl Marshall, and numerous great nephews and great nieces.

The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Gentiva Hospice and caregivers for their special care and devotion. Memorials can be made at a charity of the donors’ choice.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation at Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 from 12:00-1:00 pm with a funeral mass to begin at 1:00 pm celebrated by his nephew, Most Reverend Robert W. Marshall, Jr., Bishop of Alexandria, LA.