Charles H. Martin

Charles H. (Charlie) Martin, 94, of Lynchburg died Thursday, December 1, 2022, at his residence. Charlie is survived by his wife of 72 years, Gladys Tweedy Martin. Born November 2, 1928, he was the son of the late Samuel Royal and Nannie Inge Martin.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Cheryl Martin and Gary Martin and his wife, Monica, of Lynchburg; four grandchildren, Grayson Martin, Reagan Martin and Stephanie Kerr Bernard and her husband, Mark, all of Lynchburg; Jamie Kerr Vaughan and her husband, Allen, of Concord; and four great grandchildren, Luke, Makinley and Keaten Bernard and Brooklyn Vaughan. He is also survived by a sister, Irene M. Jones, of Lynchburg. He was predeceased by one sister, Nellie M. Williams, and four brothers, Frank, William (Billy), James (Jim) and Eugene (Jack) Martin.

Charlie graduated from Concord High School and attended Lynchburg College. He retired from Massey-Ferguson, Inc., after which he operated his own business, G&C Enterprises, for twenty-five years. He was an active member of Indian Hill United Methodist Church and volunteered for more than 20 years as Chaplain at Courtland Manufacturing Company in Appomattox through Industrial and Commercial Ministries (ICM). He was a charter member of Concord Volunteer Fire Department where he served 62 years, including fifty years as an active fireman, two years as president and twenty years as treasurer. He was recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Concord Volunteer Fire Department in 2008, Honorary Chief designation in 2011 and recipient of the “Community Builders’ Award” for Outstanding Service to the Community by the Grand Lodge of Masons, Concord in 2013.

He proudly served four years in the U. S. Navy (Naval Air) in the Korean Conflict, achieving the rank of Electronics Technician, First Class. While on active duty, he was joined by his wife, living in several U.S. locations before he was transferred overseas to serve in the Philippines, Okinawa, Taiwan and Japan. He was joined by his wife for a year in Japan before discharge. For more than 35 years, they enjoyed traveling in their motor home, covering 49 states, Canadian provinces and Mexico. More recently, they enjoyed fellowship with members of the 7-Hills RV Club on weekend trips.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, December 4, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Indian Hill United Methodist Church, 2278 Oxford Furnace Road by the Rev. Jim Stevens assisted by the Rev. Ron Litten., with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation and reception in the Fellowship Hall will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Indian Hill United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Treasurer, 579 Quail Road, Lynchburg, VA 24504, or Concord Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 26, Concord, VA 24538.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.