Charles ‘Carlos’ Karter Martin, 80, died Tuesday, January 19, at the Floyd E. Tut Fann State Veteran’s Home following a 6 year period of illness.
He leaves his wife and soulmate of 42 years, Lesha; his sons, Mike, John, Kurt and Yurii; daughters, Susan Merkle, Deborah Vaughn, Cheryl Culbreth and Kelly Jaworski, 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and many cherished friends.
Born in Pulaski TN and raised in Chicago and Tampa, the son of Karter and Bessie Martin, he was a 28 year resident of Huntsville.
In his early years Charles played professional Class C baseball, playing in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama. After turning down an offer from the Denver Bears, choosing an academic career over professional sports, he entered first the Coast Guard, then continued on to The University of Florida following his honorable discharge. In 1966 he graduated cum laude, obtaining his Ph.D in mathematics. Following a brief stint as an apprentice toreador in Mexico, Carlos went on to teach at The University of Florida, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Georgia State University, ending his teaching career at UAH where he taught in the engineering department.
His love for sports and fitness was always present and during a period from 1977-1987 he owned and operated a sports, fitness & racquetball facility, and served as the commissioner of handball for the state of Alabama.
Dr. Martin had a passion for life and learning. Everywhere he lived he had a personal library consisting of well over 4,000 volumes – oftentimes requiring an ‘annex‘ for the overflow. He took great pleasure in both spoken and written word, and engaged himself happily in both formats, extensively writing both fiction and poetry.
Visitation will be on January 30 at the Berryhill Funeral Home https://www.berryhillfh.com at 10:30 am followed by a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 noon.
