John Thomas Martin

Born October 14, 1947 in Eden, NC, he was a son of James Thomas Martin and Fannie Turner-Martin. John was a hard worker with a knack for fixing things. He served 3 years in the Army as a mechanic and continued working in the trade privately for years afterward. A quiet and gentle man, he was known for his warm smile and a good dose of Southern hospitality. If something needed fixing, John was the man for the job - if he couldn’t fix it with his tools, he could fix it with his words.

You could usually find him in his rocking chair on the porch in Southport, smoking a cigar next to the love of his life, Vera Martin. John and Vera — known affectionately by most as Papa and Granny — built the foundation to support a wonderful family who couldn’t have loved him more if they tried.

John is survived by his wife of 37 years, Vera Martin; his loving children, Dixie Beaudoin, Joel Backman and Terrilyn Bassett; his grandchildren, Amanda Daniels, Jeremy Bassett, Shaena Backman, Caylin Cline, Jay Beaudoin, Paden LeDoux, and Ben Beaudoin; and his great-grandchildren, Jourdan Daniels, Heven Backman, Lucas Bailey, Jaden Bassett, Jessie Backman, Emma Bassett, Leighton Cline, Ryker Cline, and Xavier Thomas. He is also survived by his brother, James Ramey Martin and his wife, Hilda Martin, and their children, James Martin Jr and Thomas Jason Martin.

In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his sister, Edna Lane Stephenson, Her family includes her husband, Bruce Stephenson, and their children, Angie Richards and Jayde Stephenson.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 pm Friday, May 30, 2025 at Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at Cape Fear Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.