Obituary of Jack Martin

Dr. John (Jack) Gentry Martin passed away on October 21, 2014, in Manassas, Virginia, at the age of 97. Jack lived in Boone from 1941 to 2011, when he moved to Virginia to be closer to his son. He is predeceased by his parents, Thomas Herman Martin and Rhea Esta Gentry, by brothers Lauren and Theron, and by his first wife Nina McGuire, and second wife Ruth Martin. He is survived by his sister Eloise Chappell, son John Christopher (Chris) Martin (wife Susan) of Reston, Virginia, and daughter Peggy Martin McGuire of Regina, Saskatchewan, and by Ruth�s sons Scott and John Coe and their children Bower and Corbin. He has five grandchildren: Lara White, Amanda Dickerson, Alexa George, Jacob Brizinski, and Wyatt Brizinski, and three great-grandchildren: Emanuella, Kaylin, and Owen � with two more on the way. Jack Martin was born in Gordo, Alabama, on August 6, 1917. He travelled to Auburn, Alabama in 1934 to go to college, and enrolled in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. By the time he graduated a veterinarian, he had become a dedicated fan of the Auburn football team and remained so all his life. In 1941 he moved to Boone, and left only for a stint in WWII testing cattle in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1943, he married Nina McGuire and in 1945 they returned to Boone, where they made their home and had two children, Chris and Peggy. Dr. Martin became the town veterinarian and moved his practice to the New River Animal Hospital in 1957 and his hospital design was featured in the national veterinary magazine. He had a large animal practice for many years, and transitioned the practice to small animals specializing in surgery. He developed new surgical techniques to prevent paralysis in back injuries involving disk herniation, particularly among dachshunds. In 1973 Jack married Ruth Coe, having been through a divorce. He retired from practice in 1978. The years of his retirement were filled with travel, entertaining, grandchildren, and golf. He was a co-founder of the BenGay Golf group, a group of avid golfers in Boone, and continued to shoot his age until he was 92 years old, when health issues forced him to retire. Golf and football were his sports passions for many years, and he kept up his interest in veterinary medicine until his death. Funeral services for Dr. Jack Martin will be conducted Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 1 o�clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Officiating will be Rev. Gordon Noble. Entombment will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Wednesday prior to the service from noon until 1 o�clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to Capital Caring (Hospice and Palliative Care), 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, VA 22042. Online condolences may be shared with the Martin family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Martin family.