Vernon Allen Martin, Sr.

Vernon Allen Martin Sr. was born on December 26, 1959 to the union of Wallace and Mordie B. (Hunter) Martin in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He departed this earthly life on October 7, 2021 at 3:53 a.m. in Memphis, Tennessee. 
 

He confessed his faith in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Shiloh Bapstist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Samuel Hunter Jr.

He received his formal education from Memorial Park Elemntary School. In 1978, he graduated from South Side High School where he excelled in football.  After graduation, he was accepted at Illinois University where he continued his football career and began coaching and teaching. 

Vernon had a special gift to work with children.  He enjoyed working with students of different backgrounds allowing them to become more knowledgeable in the games of football, basketball, baseball and soccer. He coached and mentored many under privileged children giving them a since importance in life.

His coaching career began with coaching baseball at Village Woods Elementay School and the Metro Football League.  He later began coaching and teaching at Portage and  Kekionga Middle Schools and also at Elmhurst High School and Wayne High School.

He relocated to Indianapolis where he coached for Pike High School andtaught at Snacks Crossing Eementary School.   For many years he supported the Metro Football Leaguge  coaching the Rams.

Being the sports addict that he was, he enjoyed playing with the River City Rhinos,  a Fort Wayne semi-pro football team for serveral years.  He loved watching his favorite team the Dallas Cowboys.

In 1981, he married Judy Priester and to this union three children were born, Vernon Allen Jr., Shayla and Marques.

Vernon was a family man and enjoyed traveling with the kids to tourments. They traveled as far as South America and Hawaii to compete.

On October 21, 2017, he married Carol Martin in Memphis, Tennessee.  He was a member Revelation Chrisitian Church in Memphis, under the leadership of  Pastor Andre Guy.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, his aunt who raised him, Evelyn Hunter; granddaughter, Kaylynn Ellis and a brother, Linnie Janigon.

Vernon leaves behind to cherish his memory with his wife, Carol Martin of Memphis, TN; his beloved children, Veron Allen Martin Jr. Fort Wayne, IN, Shayla Martin of Indianapolis, IN, Marques Martin of Fort Wayne, IN, Tyesha Richards of Tuscaloosa, AL and Verrika Martin of Fort Wayne, IN.; stepchildren, Liza Page, Belinda Russell, Clara Ackerson, Waynette Benton and Marah Adams; a brother, James Edward Janigon of Baltimore, MD; sister, Laurie Ann Edmondson of Detroit, MI, Diane McCoun of Fort Wayne, IN , Vernisa (Calvin) Ford of Indianapolis, IN and Brenda (Robert) Dudley of Indianapolis, IN, 13 grandchildren, seven stepgrandchildren and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vernon Allen Martin, Sr., please visit our floral store.