Obituary of Charles Martin

Mr. Charles Edward (Chuck) Martin, 66, of West Columbia, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2022, surrounded by his loving family and friends following injuries sustained in a single-rider bicycle accident on May 31, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Clark and Mary Sonya Warthen Martin. 

Chuck began his automotive career with Vetch Hatfield Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he was born and raised. He worked at Addy Dodge of Lexington when he moved to S.C. in the early 1980’s.  Following his employment with Addy Dodge, he worked as a Snap-On Tool dealer, ultimately refocusing his career to the area of industrial air compression. Over a span of 30 years, he worked with Edmac Compressor Company, MG Industries, I&M Industrials and Atlas Copco where he was planning to work until he retired. 

As a young man, Chuck enjoyed drag racing at the local track, Pacemakers Drag Strip, in his hometown. He raced in the D Stock, E Stock and F Stock automatic class division and is a two-time class winner at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, IN., and a three-time class winner at the NHRA Sports Nationals in Bowling Green, KY.

Chuck was a member of Trinity UMC in W. Columbia where he was a member of the Visions SS class, served as President of the Men’s Club, trustee and church treasurer. He was a devoted husband and father and an enthusiastic supporter of his sons. He actively participated in their activities as an assistant coach of their baseball teams and as crew chief for their All-American Soap Box Derby racing team sponsored by Outdoor Wood Furniture. He volunteered his time and talent to help the B-C High School Band at football games and state-wide marching competitions and later enjoyed many hours of watching the USC band rehearse their halftime shows from the crosswalk above their practice field and seeing them perform at Williams-Brice Stadium. He supported Lynn as she fulfilled a bucket list goal of performing with the Columbia Community Concert Band by driving the church’s bus filled with friends to all their concerts in the Midlands.

After a 20-year hiatus from the sport of cycling, he’d spent the past few years getting back in shape so he could indulge his passion for the roads, trails, and companionship of fellow cyclists. He was an accomplished cyclist, having climbed Mt. Mitchell three times and making numerous yearly round trips to Charleston, S.C., as a member of the Carolina Cyclers. He also enjoyed woodworking in his workshop, making furniture from baby cradles to pencil post beds, bookcases to coffee tables and so much more.

Chuck is survived by his devoted wife of 31 years, Lynn, sons Jon (Erin) and Matt (Madeline); brothers Donald C., Jr., Steven W. and Michael Ray Martin and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation is Friday, June 10, 6:30 pm-9 pm at Thompson Funeral Home, 4720 Augusta Rd., Lexington. The funeral service is Saturday, June 11, at 11 am, Trinity United Methodist Church, 1201 Mohawk Dr., West Columbia. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Palmetto Cycling Coalition, 808-D Lady St., Columbia, SC, 29201, (pccsc.net); Canoeing for Kids, 114 Riverchase Ct., Lexington, SC, 29072; Sharing Hope SC, 2215 Henry Tecklenburg Dr., Charleston, SC, 29414, (sharinghopesc.org); or Trinity United Methodist Church, 1201 Mohawk Drive, W. Columbia, SC 29169.  The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the EMS team from South Congaree, the compassionate and dedicated caregivers in the Surgical Trauma ICU at Prisma Health Richland and the organ donation facilitators with Sharing Hope SC.