David Michael Martin Sr.

David Michael Martin, Sr., age 69, of Montevallo, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 after battling many health issues for years. He grew up in Eight Mile, Alabama and graduated from Semmes High School. He was an engineer on a tugboat for Lone Star Cement with his father and uncle. He then received a B.S. from Mobile College in Elementary Education minoring in History and Theology. During his seven years of teaching kindergarten through third grade, he participated in the Teacher Corps. He went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from University of South Alabama with an emphasis on the British Infant School System. He earned his Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. In 1979, he became a professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Montevallo. He was a pioneer in early childhood education in Alabama and trained numerous teachers for almost 30 years. During this time, he was active in the Montevallo Volunteer Fire Department and a recipient of the Fireman of the Year Award. He also participated in Project RISE at the University of Alabama under Gene Stallings, raising money at “Breakfast with Santa” for housing for disabled children. He was an enthusiastic staff member and was beloved by his students – to the point they dedicated College Night to him. After his retirement from University of Montevallo, he went on to teach for 6 years at the University of Mary – Bismarck, where he worked with the State Department to develop an early childhood education program in North Dakota. He loved playing Santa Claus for children throughout his life, for Head Start, local schools, and most notably for children at the Standing Rock reservation. Water is Life. He also enjoyed travelling and hosting foreign exchange students.

He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Ludie Martin, Sr. and brother-in-law, Bill York. Left to treasure his memory are his wife of 41 years, Donna Martin; mother, Helen Pauline Hummer Martin; son, David Michael Martin, Jr.; daughter, Christina Elizabeth Martin; daughter-in-law, Jessica Martin; granddaughters, Michaela Savell and Miranda Michelle Martin; brothers, Marvin Ludie Martin, Jr. (Jeri) and Terry Wayne Martin (Karen); sisters, Beverly “Sissy” Bradford (Rick) and Brenda York; a gaggle of nieces and nephews; and a plethora of friends and extended family around the globe.

A Celebration of David’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 925 Plowman Street, Montevallo, AL 35115. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.