Tommy L. Martin

Tommy L. Martin, 63, of the Fall Branch, TN area, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born in Kingsport, TN on March 16, 1950. As a teenager he moved with his family to Ocala, FL where he graduated from North Marion High School. Tommy joined the Florida Highway Patrol as a State Trooper, serving for almost 30 years, first on the road and later in a supervisory capacity. In 1999 he retired and brought his family back to his home in northeast Tennessee, where they moved to a farm outside Fall Branch.

Tommy grew up loving the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and spent as much time as possible pursuing these interests. He even spent some time representing Budweiser on the professional Bass fishing circuit until health issues forced him to stop.

Tommy spent most of 2002 in the hospital after a near-fatal automobile accident in February, which left him with severe physical disabilities. This didn't keep him from attending Sullivan South High School football games though. First to watch his son play and later to enjoy the games and support the team. The hill next to the visitors' grandstands, where his black Expedition was routinely parked, was affectionately known as "Martin's Knob" by friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Dolly Martin, both of Kingsport; and two older brothers, Donald Martin of Ocala, FL and Harold Martin of Kingsport.

Tommy is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Julie L. Martin; his son, T. Houston Martin, (who is serving in the U. S. Navy with VFA-25 stationed at Lemoore Naval Air Station, Lemoore, CA) and wife, Daniele and their two daughters; his sister, Brenda Rutledge of Kingsport; a step daughter from a previous marriage, Diana Farr, California and her three children; his precious "Sadie" and "Heidi"; along with numerous extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport.

Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday at Oak Hill Memorial Park with Rev. Rhonda Hobbs officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Navy-Marine Corporation Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203.

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