Martin Collins Fork

Martin Collins Fork (“Marty”) passed away peacefully with family by his side on January 20, 2026. Marty was born on August 14, 1937, to the late Alden Elbert Fork and Marion Collins Fork in Geneva, IL, but was raised in Glen Ellyn, IL. Marty graduated from Glenbard High School in 1955 and earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 1959.

Following graduation from Purdue, Marty worked as a civil engineer designing bridges for the Illinois Department of Transportation. In 1962, Marty started an over thirty-year career with IBM, working in the areas of engineering, product planning, and market support. Marty held posts with IBM in Chicago, IL and Raleigh, NC and traveled for IBM around the world.

Marty moved to Raleigh with IBM in the early 1970s where he met and later married Donna Kay King on December 29, 1972. Marty and Donna celebrated their fifty-fourth wedding anniversary in December and have lived in the same house on Blenheim Drive since 1976. Marty was a loving and devoted husband to Donna for over half a century.

Marty lived an incredibly full life over his eighty-eight years. He was one of the most genuinely friendly people you could ever meet, always greeting people with a smile and an understated dry wit. He loved to meet new people and enjoy old friends, always curious to learn about their lives. He enjoyed traveling with his family and friends, and particularly spending time at Wrightsville Beach eating seafood, sitting by the water and enjoying his family.

Marty was an active athlete throughout his life, being a member of the Glenbard HS football and track teams, and, during his working years, playing tennis and racquetball. When he retired, he enjoyed golfing with friends until pickleball became his passion, winning two medals at the senior games. He also enjoyed his frequent trips to the YMCA, both to work out and see his friends, and, according to his wife, taking naps.

Marty was also an avid sports fan, as he followed his Purdue Boilermakers, adopted NC State Wolfpack, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. Marty loved going to games around the country and at home in Raleigh, attending hundreds of football, basketball and hockey games with his son Brian. He was always checking stadiums and college campuses off his list to visit.

Marty loved being a father and a grandfather. He dedicated his adult life to helping his children and grandchildren achieve their goals. He was always there for his kids and grandkids as a teacher, coach, helper, playmate, travel companion or friend. Marty enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids sporting events, attending every game of his son’s high school and college football career. He also enjoyed his annual adventure trips around the country with his daughter Debbie.

In addition to his parents, Marty is preceded in death by his sister, Jean Tyler of Niles, MI; and brother, David Fork of Chicago, IL.

Marty is survived by his wife, Donna King Fork: his two children Debra Joan Nee and husband, Kevin of Evanston, IL, and his son, Brian Collins Fork, and wife, Brooke of Raleigh, NC; four grandchildren, Patrick James Nee of Evanston and Collins Elizabeth Fork, Addison Brooke Fork and Luke William Fork of Raleigh; and his sister, Kim Donnell, and husband, Jack of Lake Worth, FL.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 9th at 2:00 p.m. at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, 2209 Fairview Rd, Raleigh, NC. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the YMCA of the Triangle, 801 Corporate Center Dr. Suite 200 Raleigh, NC 27607 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.