Lawson Wescott Martin

Mr. Martin entered larger life 4 July 2022, at Duke Regional Hospital.  A native of Durham, North Carolina he was born 20 September 1948, at the old Watts Hospital.  He was the son of the late Ciblon Hoyle Martin and Mary Lawson Marlette Martin, and grandson of Carlos Ciblon Martin and Myrtle Azzie Byrd Martin of Durham and John William Marlette and Margaret Viola Durham Marlette of Alamance County, NC. 

He was married to Miss Brenda Ruth Upchurch on 12 July 1980, at Temple Baptist Church.  Mr. Martin has one son, Adam Upchurch Martin of Durham.  

Two brothers survive, John Ciblon Martin (Rebecca) of Chandler, Arizona and Ralph Deryl Martin (Ava) of this city.  Mr. Martin was predeceased by his brother Robert Leland Martin (Kathy) of Durham and Cousin Martin Carlyle Ficken (Debbie) of Greensboro. Surviving is niece Robin Lynn Martin Dillehay (Brian) of Rougemont and nephew John Michael White of Wake Forest. 

Other surviving family are Cousins Carla Lucille Whitehurst Odom (Charles), Charlotte Martin Odom Lytle Perrin, (David), Catherine Lynne Odom Quick, (Douglas), Sara Martin Ficken, Laura Jenny Ficken, Katherine Lin Ficken Batuyios, (Michael), Robert Alexander Post Lytle, Christian Douglas Quick, Andrew Kenneth Lokie Quick, Charlotte Eloise Batuyios and Louis Michael Martin Batuyios.

The deceased was a graduate of Durham High School.  He served in the United States Navy and was a veteran of the Vietnam War prior to returning to Durham and entering the family business.  He was President of the Young Roofing Company for many years.  He was a Scottish Rite 32nd degree Mason, in the Valley of Raleigh and endowed member of Durham Lodge #352, that was the lodge of his father and grandfather. He was also a life member of the Amran Shriners.

He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, former Scout Master of Troop 17 having received the Vigil Honor in October 2002 and Founders Award on 20 December 2008. Mr. Martin had been a member since 1960.  The deceased was also a member of the Durham Lions Club.  For many years he held a private pilot's license.  He taught the North Carolina Hunters' Education Course from 1994.  

Mr. Martin's remains rest at Hall Wynne Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held at the Funeral Home Friday evening, July 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Rev. Ed Denton will officiate at the funeral on Sunday, July 10 at 1:00 pm. at Hall Wynne Chapel with interment, military and Masonic rites following at Maplewood Cemetery, Durham.  Pallbearers include Ray Allen, Billy White, Michael Cherry, Craig Wall, Curtis Murphy, and Glenn Traylor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to

Lions Club of Durham and/or Masonic Lodge #352, with memo line, Home for Children, or Occoneeechee Lodge #104, memo line, in memoriam L. W. Martin.