Author: Mike Kelly

Lt. Col. John ‘Jack’ W. Martin of Parkesburg Lt. Col. John “Jack” W. Martin, Pennsylvania Air National Guard (Retired), 93, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Born in Sadsburyville, he was the son of the late Norman G. Martin and Edith Cowan Martin. He is survived by a sister, Marian Martin Stoner and is predeceased by a brother, Thomas Cowan Martin. He graduated from Coatesville Scott High School in 1940 and received a degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University in 1947. He volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 (WW II) and flew B-26 Marauder, B-24 Liberator, and the B-29 Superfortress bombers. In 1947, he joined Lukens Steel Company, where he became District Sales Office Supervisor, Supervisor of Sales Administration, and then Superintendent of Production Control Planning and Scheduling; retiring in 1984. As a member of the Air National Guard, his F-51 Mustang Fighter Squadron was called to active duty in 1951 for the Korean War, next flying F-84 Thunderjets before going to Korea in 1952 flying F-94 Starfire jet fighters. Upon returning, he was named Commanding Officer of the 148th Fighter Squadron, PA ANG; retiring in 1964. In addition to being a 60 year member of the Brandywine Goddard Masonic Lodge, he was Scoutmaster of Troop #54 BSA, member of the Chester County Airport Authority, Area Captain of United Charities, Building Campaign Subscription Chairman for Sadsburyville Fire Company, and member of Sadsbury Township Zoning Hearing Board. Jack held the longest standing membership at Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church in Parkesburg, Pa., having joined in 1930, and since served as co-chairman for two church building-addition campaigns, as well as serving as Trustee, Elder, and Treasurer for 20 years. Jack is survived by children with his first wife, Virginia Wood Martin (who passed away in 1988), Norman W. Martin and wife Rhonda Martin, of Cypress, Texas and Barbara M. Page and husband Wayne Page, of Houston, Texas, as well as two grandchildren, Jason Martin and Ashley Page, and six step-grandchildren. He is survived by his present wife, Marguerite Scott (Richardson) Martin, and her two children, Linda Richardson Handy and husband William Handy, of Coatesville, Pa. and Thomas Richardson and wife Susan Richardson of Parkesburg, Pa. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Laurie Sarosi, Carrie Avery, William Handy Jr., Tyler Richardson, and Lisa Richardson, as well as five great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, Parkesburg, PA at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 19. Friends and family may visit from 3 to 4 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, gifts are requested to be made to the Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church.