Mr. Carl John Martin Sr.

CARL JOHN MARTIN SR., beloved husband and father, was born on June 22, 1943 and entered into eternal rest on November 27, 2025. Carl Martin Sr., the youngest of the Martin siblings, was born to Kenneth and Elise Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Elsie, as well as his siblings brothers Herbert & Bo, and sisters, Essie & Shirley. Carl was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Dunbar Vocational High School and graduated in 1963. In 1968 he joined the United States Army, and was stationed in Fort Myers, Virginia. His occupation specialty was known as an "Cambodian" language translator and interrogator." Carl received an honorable discharge on June 8, 1970. After his time in the service, he attended the University of Maryland University College, and was a lifetime member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated. For over thirty years, Carl Sr., was gainfully employed as a letter/mail carrier for the United States Postal Office, where he retired. Carl Martin Sr. and Mary Martin (affectionately known as "Cookie") of Baltimore, Maryland met through a dear friend in 1968 and married in 1970, in Baltimore, Maryland. They were blessed with over fifty-five years of marital bliss. From this union they had two children a son, Carl John Martin Jr. (who preceded him in death). Carl, Sr. and Carl Jr. had an extra special bond as father and son; when you saw one, you saw the other! Carl Sr. and Jr. worked at the Post Office together for many years. They both enjoyed watching sports, and old westerns together as well as attending all the Baltimore Ravens Home Games as season ticket holders. Even though "CJ" was the apple of his eye, Carl had the desire of wanting a daughter! God answered he and Cookies prayers and blessed their union with a daughter, Carla was the missing piece that completed their family unit! Carla Lynn Martin is their baby girl whom he loved dearly. She will always be a "Daddy's Girl". Carl was very protective of Carla! Their relationship was built on an enduring love, the bond between a father & daughter will remain forever and is priceless. When Carl married Cookie, he married the "entire" family! He gained a mother-in- love Mary Cecelia Franks that preceded him that he loved and cared for like a mother who lived with them until she passed. Once Cookie married Carl, Grandma Mary never had another care in the world! Carl step up in every way imaginable to take care of his young family. He did it seamlessly, untiringly, and lovingly every day in season and out of season. Cookie and Carl attended church with their young family for many years under the leadership of the late Bishop Conway Green and continued under their nephew Dr. Melvin C. Green. Carl Sr. was an active disciple and sang on the Brotherhood Choir with his late son "C]" until his health prevented him from doing so. Carl was a gentle giant. He was not a man of many words, but a doer of many good deeds. He showed his love by his acts of kindness and love towards his family and friends. To know him was to love him. He was a strong soldier; he survived lung cancer, prostate cancer, and COVID. He never complained during his illness; he always said" I'm alright" and gave you a look of contentment and peace. Uncle Carl set the tone for our family! Uncle Carl & Aunt Cookie were the first young couple in our family to purchase a single family home in Baltimore County with backyard oasis that included an in-ground pool & outdoor entertaining spaces. Carl loved to entertain and enjoyed having gatherings at his home. For many years Uncle Carl & Aunt Cookie hosted the entire family for Christmas and 4th of July gatherings. He and Cookie also hosted graduation splash parties for many nieces and nephews and would prepare his famous barbeque ribs and chicken wings. Uncle Carl & Aunt Cookie were always a hit as a couple! They were a lover of music and spent many years traveling to concerts and especially in their younger years they never missed a Hampton Jazz Festival attending with their niece & nephew the late Lady Idelia, Dr. Melvin, and friends the late Janice & Tyrone Holloway. Carl lived life to the fullest, he enjoyed traveling, and he loved attending Family Reunions. He especially got great joy out of traveling to Chicago with their son "C]" to visit his family and to celebrate their birthdays. Some years they flew, and other years they would do a guy's "Road trip" driving from Baltimore to Chicago. Carl Sr. was very family oriented. He loved his entire family. Uncle Carl & Aunt Cookie created the "Family" Home environment. Anyone in our family that needed a place to live, they extended and welcomed you to their home. Their home was filled with love and was a respite for anyone that needed to figure out their next steps! Uncle Carl was like a second father to all of his nieces and nephews, he treated each one as if they were his own! He had an extra special love for Kevin, Keith, Kenny, and Tyrone they were reared as brothers, and he treated them more like sons than nephews. Carl was affectionately their "Uncle Dad"! Carl was blessed to be able to continue through his illness to reside in his home with the help of his daughter Carla, niece and nephew Janice & Thomas Jackson that coordinated his doctors' appointments and home care. He rallied around the family for many years, and the family was blessed to be able to give back a portion to him through Ci-Ci cooking meals, to Sharon helping with appointments, Keith coming down from PA to assist, and their goddaughter Terry providing meals and giving extra special care! His niece Lanette Franks was his health aide. Carl leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted and loving wife, Mary Martin (Cookie); loving daughter Carla; niece, Leslie Martin; brothers- and sister-in-love; goddaughter, Terry Sedgwick; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

Tributes

Mr. Carl John Martin Sr.

June 22, 1943 - November 27, 2025