David Phillip Martin, 73, passed away at home on April 2, 2021, following a long battle with cancer.
Known as “Tot” by friends and family, he was born on Oct. 18, 1947, to parents Buford K. Martin (“Boots”) and Alice Shealor Martin.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Ann Wall Martin, and children, David Weston Martin (“Wes”) and Carrie Martin Funderburgh (Charles K. Funderburgh).
A long-term resident of Blacksburg, he retired and spent the last five years residing on Callawassie Island, S.C.
Known as a wonderful man with a great sense of humor, David was a family man through and through. In addition to his wife and children, he is lovingly survived by his grandchildren, Camryn and Carson Funderburgh (Matthews, N.C.); siblings James “Buddy” Martin (wife Sue, of Radford) and Eileen “Chick” Kelley (husband Felix of Peachtree City, Ga.); and nieces and nephews Kathryn Kelley, Matt and Jenny Martin, and Meg and Gabe Corey.
David was proud of his large extended family and was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Christopher Kelley.
He graduated from Blacksburg High School where he was an athlete playing baseball, football, and basketball, and was named an Honorable Mention All American. He went on to play basketball at Southwood College and Ferrum Junior College. He transferred to Virginia Tech and worked on a degree in psychology.
In his professional career, David first served as the Director of Parks and Recreation in Bluefield, W.Va. He went on to work for 25 years at Wolverine Manufacturing where he became Director of Human Resources before spending 10 years with the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute of Virginia Tech in human resources and asset management.
David will always be remembered for his love of family, friends, sports, and his beloved dogs. A celebration of his life will be held at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg on Monday, May 3, with visitation at 1 p.m. and the service at 2 p.m.
For those wishing to make a memoriam in his honor, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad.
