Kenneth Martin

April 10, 1940 – September 30, 2021

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Graveside services will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Oaks Hill Cemetery, County Road 606 in Theo. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.

Kenneth passed away peacefully on September 30, 2021 at 1:30 pm at Magnolia Regional Health Center. He was surrounded by his loving wife of 57 years and their three children.

Born April 10, 1940, Kenneth was the first-born son and child to the late Walter “Watt” Neal Martin and Lena Hope Alexander Martin. He was born in Alcorn County and attended Gift School in the primary years, then graduated from Kossuth High School. He attended Mississippi State University, worked his way through college, and ultimately graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. True to his degree, Kenneth was a life-long “tinkerer”. Up to the last few weeks of his life, he designed computer boards and worked on various other electronics projects just to keep his mind active. He valued intelligence and learning throughout his life.

Kenneth had a distinguished career as an engineer. He worked at Boeing in Huntsville, AL; American Electric in Southaven, MS; Vitro Services in Ft. Walton Beach, FL; ITT, CTI, Plexsys, and Cortelco, all in Corinth, MS. He received various awards throughout his career for excellence in engineering and also authored various articles for engineering publications. He worked tirelessly to develop cellular phone services for small towns and rural areas and setting up the first cellular phone towers in various small communities around the world.

Throughout his life, Kenneth enjoyed many different hobbies and interests, including airplanes, tennis, ham radio, radio-control airplanes, and Martin family genealogy and history. He loved Westerns, classical music, animals, flowers and fruitcake cookies. He was a member and attendee of the Church of Christ as long as his health allowed. He was content through his life being at home with his family and most of all, his beloved wife, Margie. He had a quiet profound manner, he grew old gracefully and was an inspiration to many. Kenneth Martin was a remarkable man and will always be cherished in our hearts and beloved memories.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Watt and Lena Martin.

He is survived by his wife, Margie; sister, Sherra Childs (G.W. Childs) of Corinth, MS; daughter Laura Lane Martin of Columbia, TN; daughter, Karen Beth Martin of Corinth, MS; son, Jason Watt Martin (Mary Heather Clarin Martin) of Oxford, MS. He was proud Granddaddy to John Martin Gibbons (Danielle Whitacre Gibbons) of Colorado Springs, CO; Lily Martin, Ruby Martin, Heidi Martin, and Harry Martin all of Oxford, MS.

Donations may be made in Kenneth’s honor to the American Heart Association. The family extends thanks to all those who have made these last few days a bit more comfortable through prayers, food, cards and calls.

To view family photos or to leave condolences or special memories about Kenneth, visit www.MemorialCorinth.com.

Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Services

  • Graveside Service

    Friday, October 8, 2021

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