Charlotte - Joel E. Martin, beloved Dad, loyal Blue Devils fan, melodic whistler, entrepreneur, devoted market watcher, and traveler who preferred to go by freighter or train, died peacefully on June 29, 2018, at the age of 93.
A native Charlottean and the only child of William H. and Annie E. Martin, Joel attended Central High School and Duke University on the GI bill after World War II, graduating in 1948 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then went on to start his own company, specializing in placement of instrumentation equipment, primarily serving the pulp, paper and textile industries.
His interest in flight started in grade school when he and his Dilworth neighborhood friends would fly gas-fueled model airplanes at Cannon Airport on Wilkinson Boulevard. In 1943, he enlisted and trained as a pilot of PT17s and later, B25 bombers at Laughlin Air Field in Del Rio, Texas. He reached the rank of lieutenant with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Dad’s favorite color was blue, particularly navy blue, and he could often be seen around town, sporting his Duke bucket hat. He was a fan of British sitcoms and reading history; and enjoyed years of activities as a member of the Charlotte Country Club and Piedmont Club. Dinners with family and friends were special for Dad; we always welcomed his insight along with his unusual perspective and dry sense of humor.
Whether Dad was calmly teaching us to drive a stick-shift in the AG parking lot (long before we were 16) or nonchalantly sweeping a large king snake off the breakfast room table and out the door, he was our anchor, advisor and friend.
He will be greatly missed by his children Betsy (Rai); Trish Riffle (Ken); Leslie; Joel, Jr. (Angel); and Will, as well as by his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ella, in 1973.
The service to honor his life will be held at 11 am on Thursday, July 5, 2018 in the chapel of Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to the service.
The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff at Sharon Towers for all their care, attention and professionalism over the last three years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charlotte YMCA, Dowd Branch.
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