Charles E. Martin

Charles E Martin, 97, was born in Ward, West Virginia and passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 30, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Winifred, and son, Daniel.
He is survived by his son Mark, grandson John & family, Cynthia Haning (Mark), Nancy Carter (Greg), grandchildren Crystal (Kirk), Grant (Katine) and great granddaughter Joelle.

Charles lived a long, adventurous life. He lived in an orphanage from the age of 3-5 years old then went to live with his grandmother. Soon thereafter, he went to live with his uncle in the hills of West Virginia before returning to his mother and brothers in Indiana.

He joined the Navy at 17 years old and served in WWII from September 6, 1940 to June 27, 1945. Charles joined as a signalman but quickly became a Navy pilot, flying the Corsair Hellcat. His stories of survival are astonishing, such as being promoted to Lieutenant while on board the USS Quincy just before it was sank. He was blown off the ship and survived 3 days and nights in shark infested waters before being rescued. He also went on a mission with the Marines in New Guinea after his plane was shot down and he found himself among headhunter cannibals. After the cannibals noticed a cross that was hanging around his neck, they escorted him through the jungle to where a military airfield was being built by the Marines.

Another time Charles' life was saved when he was shot in the heart but the bullet was stopped by a metal covered bible located in his pocket that had been issued to him by the military.

After serving in the Navy, he returned to Indiana to marry Winifred and had two boys Daniel and Mark. They then moved to Colorado and had Cynthia and Nancy.

Charles worked in many occupations from coal mining as a young boy, to learning to be a lumberjack. He also served as a sheriff in Evergreen and eventually became an Executive Senior Vice President for May D & F.

Winifred and Charles were very active in the Archery Club and had their own business making and selling knives.

He loved the great outdoors and the mountains. Charles took every opportunity to take his family camping, fishing and hunting. Charles was instrumental in starting the hunter safety program in Colorado.

While in Colorado, Charles felt the calling to serve the Lord and devoted himself to the pursuit of knowledge and truth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He touched many lives and preached in many churches in Colorado and was asked to preach in Korea when he and Winifred traveled there.

Charles was devoted to the Lord and was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be dearly missed, but we take comfort in knowing we will see him again.

When the Lord greets Charles in heaven he will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charles Martin's name to St. Jude Children's hospital, the ASPCA, or the Evangelical Church Alliance.