Michael Martin

Mr. Michael Darnell Martin, known by all as “Mike”, age 82, of Hilton Head, entered into rest Sunday morning, June 23, 2024, at the Veteran’s Victory House in Walterboro.

Born June 21, 1942, in Corbin, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Luther Martin and the late Doris Collins Martin. He served our country faithfully in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era and was a receipt of the Bronze Star. Following his time in service he continued his education to receive his bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism. Having worked in Louisville, Kentucky for WLKY TV and in Atlanta, Georgia for WXIA TV. He then continued his work in broadcast as the Vice President of WestStar and the General Manager of Cayman 27 in the beautiful Grand Cayman Islands, which was one of his all-time greatest successes, where he resided for twenty-one years before making his home on Hilton Head Island in 2015.

While living in the metro Atlanta area in 1977, he met the love of his life, Mrs. Brenda Isbell Martin. In addition to her, he is survived by her two sons, Gary Ritch of Atlanta and Heath Ritch of Savannah; four grandchildren, Jade, Sophia, Easton, and Cruz; aunt, June Martin; a sister-in-law, Brenda Martin; a nephew, Clay; and two great nephews, Andrew and Matthew. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clayton Martin; and a nephew, Ray Martin.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be directed in his memory to an organization that was very dear to Mike and Brenda: Tunnel to Towers at www.t2t.org.

A graveside service honoring Michael Martin will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday October 11, 2024, at the McFarland Cemetery in Corbin, Kentucky, with Rev. Bobby Joe Eaton officiating.  Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #88 of Corbin.

Arrangements by the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in Corbin, Kentucky.