Harold Ernest Martin Jr.

Harold Ernest Martin, Jr. was born in Indianapolis, IN on October 29, 1942, and moved with his parents, Harold Ernest Martin, Sr. and Wanetah Coombes Martin to Terre Haute, IN at the age of 2. He died on June 17, 2025, in the Medical ICU at the University of Florida Shands Hospital.

Harold's favorite sport was baseball, and he spent countless hours playing in recreational leagues. He attended Gerstmeyer H.S. where he played baseball and was a kicker on the football team. He graduated from Purdue University in IN in 1965 with an Electrical Engineering Degree. He briefly worked for a firm in Indianapolis before being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. He was sent to Aberdeen Proving Ground north of Baltimore, MD because of their need for an Electrical Engineer. While there he met Betty Schmidt. They married on June 26, 1971 and lived near Cincinnati, OH.

Harold worked for General Electric as part of the Jet Engine Group. During that time they had 3 children. In 1980, Harold transferred to the G.E. Battery Division in Gainesville, FL, which was later owned by Gates and then Energizer, until he retired in 1999. Subsequent owners of the facility hired him for part time and full time employment to run the Wastewater Treatment Plant at the site until he stopped in 2023.

He was a wonderful father, spending many hours with his twin sons, Todd and Chad, practicing baseball during their elementary and middle school years when they were playing in recreational leagues and at Buchholz H.S. There were many out of town family trips to watch games and to take Suzanne to football games to cheer. He was very proud of his sons and daughter. Children, spouses and grandchildren were able to come to Gainesville to spend a good bit of time with Harold since mid-March when he was still at home and after May 2 when he was in Hospitals and Rehab centers.

He enjoyed boating and fishing, playing with grandchildren especially when they were toddlers, visiting family, visiting National Parks, searching for sea glass on vacations and designing pictures with it. He enjoyed spending time in New Smyrna Beach in a condo shared with Todd's family on the Indian River and very close to the ocean. He was a big fan of Gator Football and enjoyed attending the home games. After his sons were finished playing baseball, he was an Assistant Coach for a recreational league baseball team for a few years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Betty; children, Todd Martin (Serena), Chad Martin (Kori), Suzanne Martin; sisters, Janet Swift (Bill), Gayle Decker (George “Bud”), and sister-in-law, Pat Martin and nieces and nephews. Grandchildren: Todd's (Mackenzie, Bryce), Chad's (Carter, Reid, Ellie, Eden).

He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Evans and brother, William “Bill” Martin.

Funeral Services and Interment will be in Terre Haute, IN at Roselawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 7500 N Clinton St, Terre Haute, IN 47805 on Monday, June 30, 2025. Visitation will start at noon and the Service at 1 pm followed by interment.

A meal will be held at New Goshen Lions Club at 9640 N Range Line Pl, West Terre Haute, IN 47885.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Harold’s memory to a charity of your choice.