Horace Wayne Martin Sr.

Horace Wayne Martin Sr. was born on April 2, 1944 at home in the community of Camp’s Mine in Brooksville Florida as the second child of James Henry Martin Sr. and Essie Lee Crosby Martin. He was delivered by the late Dr. Harvard and the two sons were later joined by their sister, Estella Jane Martin Mosley. His surviving aunt, Laura Adelaide Martin Hall, characterized Wayne as a sweet and gentle boy of even temperament and disposition. Wayne attended First Baptist Church of Brooksville until 3 years old when the family joined the congregation of Gulf Ridge Park Baptist Church. The church was established on land donated by his grandparents, Estella and Jesse Martin. Surviving matriarch, Aunt Adelaide Hall, is a founding member of Gulf Ridge Park Baptist Church, who was joined by Martin family members in the congregation’s beginnings. Growing up in Brooksville was an adventure while in the care and watch of many Martin and Crosby family members. Grandparents, Estella and Jesse Martin, moved from Missouri to Florida in 1925 settling in the Lake Lindsey region of Hernando County and later moved into Brooksville. Older son, Obed Martin, travelled from Missouri by horse and wagon with family belongings while the rest of the family travelled by railroad. The family thrived in the business of cattle and livestock in what was once a free range territory absent of fences and boundaries. The Martin family’s beginning in the colonies started with ancestors who arrived by one of three ships on the coast of Connecticut. Survivors on the ship were rescued by Native Americans that tendered sick passengers to land and nursed them to health. From their care, the Martin family emerged in the United States.

Wayne attended the Hernando County school system to include graduating from Hernando High School in 1963. He lived in Brooksville, Florida his entire life cultivating lifelong relationships with friends and family. Wayne was a musician who enjoyed singing that highlighted winning a talent contest at 10 years old for his performance singing “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”. At 12 years old he was a member of 4-H Club and from the inspiration of his older brother, James “Jimmy” Henry Martin, Jr., who raised steers for competition, Wayne decided he would take on the challenge of raising a steer of his own. His diligence was demonstrated through his efforts of caring for the steer to include sleeping in the stall with the steer when Wayne thought the animal was not feeling well. At his first attempt, Wayne’s steer was awarded the Grand National Champion. Wayne’s acute sense for engineering began at an early age. At 14 years old he was given a Cushman Eagle scooter that he decided the color of the gift was not to his liking so he completely disassembled it, painted it the color of his choice and rebuilt it. His life was rife with taking things apart and rebuilding them to its original character while often repairing or refurbishing devices.

Wayne married childhood sweetheart, Regina Burchfield Martin, on August 20, 1964. The couple bought a newly built home in Southside Estates on Sabra Drive where the couple raised two children, son, Horace Wayne Martin Jr. and daughter, Katrina Iris Martin. The Sabra Drive residence still remains as the family homestead. Wayne’s first job was at Carlton’s Grocery in 1961 and then he trained horses to be ridden and harnessed at Camp’s Mine. Wayne started a business with Joe Mack Carter titled Better Service Welding. He later entered into a career as a mechanical engineer at Tampa Armature Works where he worked until 1980 and then he began work at Florida Mining. He then joined Alvin Mazourek as a real estate appraiser and broker at ARM Realty. In the interim, Regina and Wayne established Martin Insurance Agency in 1980 and then in 1990 a preschool and childcare business titled Alphabet Kids. Wayne ventured on his own in the real estate appraisal profession creating RAM Realty in 1998 that still exists today.

Wayne enjoyed a life that the Florida coast offered him that included scuba diving, spearfishing and water skiing. His father, James Martin Sr., often owned homes throughout his life on the Nature Coast to include a home on Chassahowitzka River and a small motel in Aripeka that Wayne and his siblings enjoyed boating and fishing. The days on the water ended with gatherings together cooking seafood caught for the family dinners. Wayne was a creator in mechanical engineering throughout his life highlighted by engineering parts and devices to include patents. A leader of Florida Mining once referred to Wayne as a genius at troubleshooting and mechanical solutions. He spent his free time creating metal toys and objects for his children and friend. He built quilting frames for his son’s Brooksville Elementary class in order for the class to sew quilts for memorials.

Wayne’s multifaceted capabilities to create objects and renovate building aesthetics was well-known but those that knew him understand that his truth was embedded in selflessness and kindness to others driven by the force of his faith in God and love for his family. From his origins of faith at First Baptist Church of Brooksville, Wayne’s children began attending First Presbyterian Church as members of the children’s choir. From there, the family followed a divide to the beginnings of Faith Presbyterian Church where Wayne became a member and served as a Deacon. Wayne was a kind soul who prioritized selfless acts of care to others less fortunate, to the degree of times he himself may have needed some assistance.

Wayne is preceded in death by his father, James Henry Martin, Sr.; his mother, Essie Lee Crosby Martin; stepmother, Beatrice Stewart Martin; older brother, James Henry Martin, Jr.; mother-in-law, Nela Imogene Burchfield; father-in-law, Colonel Clinton Burchfield; and brother-in-law, Steve Mosley.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Regina Burchfield Martin; children, Horace Wayne Martin, Jr. and Katrina Martin Mott; granddaughter, Carly Paige Mott; aunt, Laura Adalaide Martin Hall; sister, Estella Jane Martin Mosley; stepbrothers, James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart, Larry Stewart, Tim Stewart, and Barry Stewart; sister-in-laws, Arizona Burchfield Allen and Patricia Morton McGee; brother-in-law, Wayne Allen; nieces, Kimberley Martin Bennett, Maria Elayna Mosley, and Darian Mosley Wesolowski; nephews, James Henry Martin III, Ballard Ford Beasley III, Brandon Mosley, Bronson Mosley, and Scott Allen; great-nieces, Myranda Beasley, Kathryn Ashley Jordan, Cecilia Mosley Reynolds, Tess Caroline Reynolds, and Isabelle Rose Mosley; great-great-nieces, Peyton Beasley, Lanessa Howard, and Amaya Jordan; great-nephews, Martin O’Neal Jordan, Ballard Ford Beasley IV, Christopher James Martin, Richard Michael Martin, Britton Daniel Mosley, Benjamin Martin Mosley, and Owen Mosley Reynolds; and great-great-nephews, Calvin Howard, Ryan Bunch, Kingston Bunch, and Maddox Jordan.

As a decedent from a family extending over 100 years residency in Hernando County, Wayne leaves an extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins in addition to the Martin and Crosby descendants that include the Langworthy and Stewart families. Not forgotten and included in the family circle, are his lifelong friends.

The family will receive friends starting at 10:00am on Saturday 11, 2025 at Faith Presbyterian Church to be followed by funeral services celebrating Wayne Martin’s life starting at 11:00am. From Faith Presbyterian Church, a Graveside Ceremony will be held at Brooksville Cemetery (1275 Olmes Road, Brooksville, Florida) concluded by a reception and refreshments at Faith Presbyterian Church.

Pallbearers will be nephews, Brandon Mosley, Bronson Mosley, Ballard Beasley III; great-nephew, Marty Jordan, Peter Hills, Jeff Kindred, Robert Sheeks, Mike Ray; and brother, James “Jimmy” Stewart.

If you wish to make a memorial gift it can be directed to:

Faith Presbyterian Church of Brooksville @ http://www.FaithChurchBrooksville.com