John J. (J.J.) Martin, MSgt(Ret), 75, passed away on August 19, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Powell Martin, and Don R. Lewis, Michael B. Lewis (Kimberly), Terrie James (Brad), David Martin (Danette), Darin Martin, and seven grandchildren.

JJ was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 6, 1941. After graduating high school, he played professional baseball with the Minnesota Twins farm team in Charlotte. In 1959, JJ joined the United States Air Force and served an honorable career until his retirement twenty years later. During his time in the Air Force, JJ served two tours in Vietnam, served on the Standardization and Evaluation team of the Special Air Warfare Center, and was a logistic support technician for the historic Son Tay Raid to rescue American POW's.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1979, he worked for HG Wilson, Inc., as Director of Operations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1985, he and his wife moved to Daytona Beach (her home town). JJ worked for the Tomoka Correctional Institute for 4 years in the recreational field. He then went to the Stewart Marchman Center as the Recreational Director. He worked there 15 years before retiring.

His life was filled with sports, as a participant, spectator, and collector. JJ's experience in baseball and softball can be summed up in one word - champion. Early in his Air Force career, he played semi-pro baseball in Witchita, Kansas; winning the semi-pro World Series. Later his Air Force career, JJ transitioned to fast pitch softball. He was a member of several national championship teams and named to numerous Air Force and Inter-Service All-Star teams. While in Baton Rouge, his team won the state championship in 1982. In Daytona Beach, his senior league team won the SPA National Championship in 2000 and the State Championship in 2004.

During his spare time, JJ was a significant figure in the Daytona Beach Community and a reliable voice for our military veterans. He served for several years as President of his Homeowner's Association. A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled Veterans Association, he also served as President of the Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 1048, and was a member of Volusia County Veterans Council. In these positions, he helped organize numerous activities supporting Vietnam Veterans, helped homeless veterans, and was a Volusia County Veterans Court Mentor. JJ has also been an active citizen liaison with the Daytona Beach Police Department for many years.

Services will be held on Thursday, August 25 at the First Presbyterian Church of Daytona Beach beginning at 10:30 a.m. with interment following at Daytona Memorial Park. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in JJ's name to to a Veterans Charity of your choice.