Tom has been suffering from Alzheimer’s for several years. He was a Broadcast Engineer and
videographer. Tom was a great man of faith who led his life by example.
He started his career at WOOD-TV (NBC) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and after nine years moved
to St. Louis, Missouri, to KMOX-TV (CBS), now KMOV-TV.
Tom retired from KMOV after a career spanning 35 years there. His many experiences included
meeting five presidents and traveling with the Pope across the United States. Also, during his
service at KMOV he recorded many of the major events of the era nationally, internationally,
and locally in his hometown of St. Louis. These events include waiting in Germany for the Iran
hostages to be released at the end of Jimmy Carter’s presidency, traveling to Saudi Arabia
before the first Gulf War, the tragic Oklahoma City bombing, and the Times Beach chemical
disaster that forced residents to flee their homes and businesses.
Tom’s wide-ranging assignments included local tragedy and triumphs. He covered multiple
Super Bowls including the one between the Rams and the New England Patriots. He also
covered baseball and hockey games. He had the opportunity to witness and record multiple
Primaries and Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
A simple glimpse at his assorted enumerable press passes would prove the value of Tom’s
expertise as a cameraman. As a result of some of his more challenging works he was nominated
for 10 Emmy Awards. He won three Emmy’s and was inducted into the Emmys Silver Circle for
25 years of distinguished service from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
He is survived by his wife Cathey, his son Thomas (Jodie), his daughter Theresa Beck (Bill), six
grandchildren: Jessica and Erin Beck, John Thomas II, Christiana Langsy, Nathan and Amanda
and numerous nieces and nephews. His three brothers, including his twin brother Bob, are all
deceased.
The funeral will be held on Friday, April 9th at Community Gospel Truth Church, 795 S. Wickham
Road, West Melbourne, FL 32904. Bishop Jerry Lawrence will officiate. The viewing will be from
12-1:00 pm and the service at 1:00 pm. He will be interred at Fountainhead Memorial Park, 7303
Babcock St. SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909. You can send condolences to the family in care of
Community Gospel Truth Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the Martin family.
