Randall Martin

Chief Randall Martin, 89, of Owensboro, died Sunday, April 16, 2017, in the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. He was born in Whitesville to the late Edward and Beulah Purcell Martin and was a charter member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Chief Martin graduated from Whitesville High School in 1945 and served his country in the United States Army. He returned to Owensboro and joined the Owensboro Fire Department December 1953. During his career, he was promoted to Captain December 1965, Training Captain May 1970, Acting Assistant Chief November 1972, Assistant Chief February 1979 and to Chief August 1985. Chief Martin retired June 1990 after 37 years of service. He spent many years as a home builder constructing over 300 homes in the area and was an advocate for Habitat for Humanity, helping on over 57 builds and receiving a place of honor on their wall of fame. Chief Martin has always been community minded and will be remembered for his acts of kindness.

He was also preceded in death by his first wife of 38 years, Jessie Lee Aull Martin and his brother, Willard Martin.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Nancy Sterett Martin; his children, Michael David Martin and his wife Jan, Nelda Martin Best and Her husband Ray, Bruce Charles Martin and his wife Sally all of Owensboro and Keith Edward Martin and his wife Pam of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Sonya Martin, Jared Martin (Jaime), Jason Martin, Reneé Taylor (Clay), Kyle Best (Emily), Jake Martin (Tori), Lauren McCrary (Kris), Jesse Martin, Lee Martin (Jessica), Hannah Martin, Josh Martin, Zack Martin (Morgan) and Nick Martin; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Edward Martin, Dorothy Ann Higdon, and James Norman Martin; sister-in-law, Sister Margaret Ann Aull, OSU and step-son, Todd Brumley (Elizabeth).

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday with prayers at 7 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and after 9 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Habitat for Humanity or Hospice of Western Kentucky.