David Ray Martin

David Ray Martin, age 69, a resident of Weston West Virginia was welcomed by Jesus and several loved ones as he stepped onto Heavens golden streets at 11:01 am on Wednesday May 11, 2022 at Ruby Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends. David was born in Galloway, West Virginia on October 28, 1952 to the late Harold Julius Martin and Ruby P. (Simons) Hukill. On May 17, 1974 he married the love of his life and best friend, Jill (Shaffer) Martin who survives. Also surviving is one son; Jason David Martin and wife Paige of Raleigh, NC; one daughter, Robin Dawn Stuart and husband Randy of Philippi, WV; one sister Cheryl Martin Wilt and husband Bob of Buckhannon, WV; three half-sisters, Linda Ivers, Dona Wood, and Elizabeth Carvey all of Newark, OH, and one half brother, Robert Lee Lake who preceded him in death. Four grandsons, Bailey Stuart of Fort Myers, FL, Clay Stuart of Fairmont, WV, Noah Martin and Jude Martin of Raleigh, NC. One granddaughter, Rachel Stuart of Philippi, WV. Several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

David enlisted in the US Navy aboard the USS Dubuque from 1970-1974 and during that time served 3 tours in Vietnam. He worked in the coal mines of WV, was ground supervisor at Lee University in Cleveland, TN and was employed as ground supervisor at West Virginia Wesleyan College. He was employed by the West Virginia Office of Miners Health and Safety Training where he retired in 2017.

David was graduate class of 1989 from the Liberty Bible College in Pensacola, Fl. David pastored several churches in the area including Silent Grove Church in Philippi and The Church of God in Philippi, WV, and served as Pastor of the Methodist Charge in Buckhannon, WV. He loved fishing and hunting and seeing what all he could get into around the house. Sitting still was not in his vocabulary. David was very passionate about his faith in God and never failed to spread God’s word every chance he got. He enjoyed writing articles in the newspaper and almost daily would email a group of friends and family God’s word and the direction this world was going in and what you could of to make sure your name was written in the book of life.

Friends will be received at the Wright Funeral Home and Crematory 220 N. Walnut St. Philippi on Saturday May 14, from 11 am- 2 pm. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm with Rev. Jimmie Tallman officiating. Interment will follow in the Belington Fraternal Cemetery with military honors being accorded by the US Navy.