Rev. Fred J. Martin, Jr., 97, passed away peacefully at his home in Pensacola, FL on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Thursday, July 13, 2023. He was a well-loved and respected pastor, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, confidant and friend. Fred retired 32 years ago but is still referred to as "pastor" by many.

He was born to Fred J. Martin, Sr. and Cleopatra Wilson Martin April 24, 1926, in Trenton, NJ. The family returned to the south shortly after Fred's birth, settling in Birmingham where he attended school, graduating from Phillips High School in 1944.

Fred was a WWII veteran, serving in Germany during the Nuremberg trials and saw the horrors of war.

He accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 9 and felt called to the ministry at 16. He was licensed to preach in 1944 at Bush Hills Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church) in Birmingham, graduated from Howard College in Birmingham (now Samford University) in 1950 and was ordained into the ministry at First Baptist Church, Birmingham. Rev. Martin graduated from Louisville Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Theology (1953), and a Master of Theology (1954).

Fred pastored churches in Clio, AL, Ellaville, GA, Phenix City, AL, and Pensacola, FL. In 1977 he accepted the position of Director of Missions for the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association. During his tenure here he was instrumental in founding several new programs including the Seaman's Ministry and a Student Summer Missions program, retiring from this post in 1991.

He loved the outdoors, was an avid sportsman, delighting in fishing and hunting.  He spent many of his retirement days either dangling a hook in the water or in search of that illusive 8 point.

Rev. Martin is preceded in death by his parents, his loving and supportive wife of 61 years, Eugenia Lyle (Gene) Akin Martin; infant son, John; and younger brother, Robert.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Brenda Lavender Chandler Martin; sister-in-law, Margaret Cobb Martin of Ft. Deposit, AL; daughter, Ann Martin Vess (Sam) of Repton, AL; sons, Kenneth Chandler (Susanne) of Gulfport, MS, and Charles Chandler of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren, Ryan Vess (Candace), Jeannine Chandler Surowic (Vince), Jena Chandler, Christopher Idland (Dray), Dakota Arnold (Kaylin), Liam and Grady Chandler; six great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held 1:00pm until a Memorial Service to begin at 2:00pm Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Heights Baptist Church, 600 Pickens Ave., Pensacola, FL. Rev. Steve Epperson and Rev. Jim Duck will officiate. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. There will be a private burial at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola with military honors.

The family is grateful to Gentiva Hospice and Muriel Finger Sitters for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers the family would be grateful for contributions in memory of Rev. Martin to Heights Baptist Church, 600 Pickens Ave., Pensacola, FL, 32503, Baptist College of Florida, 400 College Dr. Graceville, FL 32440, or another charity of your choosing.