Martin, Grover Thomas

Grover Thomas Martin, 81, of Radford, Va., passed away Sunday, October 24, 2010. He was born in Roanoke on February 14, 1929, to the late Grover Cleveland and Eugie Clark Martin. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Roanoke and from the College of William & Mary in 1954, where he was a football player. He recalled with pride catching the winning touch-down when William & Mary beat Navy in 1953. Tom was inducted into the William & Mary Hall of Fame on April 12, 1997. He achieved the rank of Captain in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Korean Conflict where he earned a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle. Following his military service, Tom became a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and served 26 years until retirement on November 14, 1980. After retirement, he worked under a contract with the Federal Government to train police officers in Latin America and worked as a private investigator in the United States. He was a member of Grove United Methodist Church for 36 years. Survivors include his wife of 59 years Katherine Bell Martin, of Radford; two sons and daughter-in-law, Grover Thomas Jr. and Elizabeth D. Martin, of Matoaca, Va., and James B. Martin, of Newport News; daughter, Ann M. Martin, of Roanoke; two grandchildren, Falicia S. Martin and Christopher C. Martin, both of Matoaca; niece and her husband, Patti and Ronnie Sink, of Roanoke; and greatnephew, Kenneth Sink, of Roanoke. A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 28, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Grove United Methodist Church in Radford with the Rev. Karen Lane officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford and immediately following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Grove United Methodist Church. The Martin family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com .