Dr. John “Wayne” Martin, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away the morning of Tuesday September 13th, 2016 at the Cornelia Nixon Davis Memory Care Facility in Porters Neck, North Carolina, at the age of 82. He was in the presence of his family. He had been a resident of the Davis Community for the past 16 months and dealing with Alzheimer’s disease for many years.

Wayne was born and raised in Washington, N.C. He was the eldest son of Mrs. Grace Wayne Martin Harwell and John Henry Martin Jr., who died in 1969. Wayne was the stepson of Fred R. Harwell.

He was a graduate of the East Carolina Teacher’s College pre-dental program and the Dental School at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. On the first day of Dental School he met his life partner and best friend Ms. North Carol Liner. They were married on June 21, 1958. Both Wayne and Carol went on to complete their respective degree programs at UNCCH, Wayne in Dentistry and Carol in Dental Hygiene.

He and Carol set up a dental practice in Oxford, North Carolina in 1959. Oxford became the family’s home where all three of his daughters were born and raised. It was there that he served on the Vestry of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, was on the Board of Directors of a local bank, was Scout Master and awarded the Silver Beaver Award, and served on Oxford’s City Council.

In 1973 Wayne and Carol were introduced to the Amway business, ultimately achieving the level of Diamond Direct Distributors in 1978. During this time they were still actively practicing Dentistry in Oxford. Ultimately, Wayne and Carol moved to Keller, Texas after he retired from Dentistry; it is there that they grew their Amway business internationally. Wayne and Carol were honored for their years of leadership and service to the Britt Worldwide Organization by being inducted into the Diamond Hall of Fame in 2012.

Dr. John Wayne Martin is survived by his wife, Mrs. North Carol Liner Martin, of Wilmington, North Carolina, three daughters, Valerie Lynn Martin and husband, Tony Gardner, of Loveland, Colorado, Michelle Martin Underwood and husband, Larry, and Theresa Martin McIntyre and husband, Dan, all of Wilmington, NC, as well as his four grandchildren, Jonathan Wayne Walsh, Elizabeth Caroline Underwood, Daniel Murdock McIntyre II and Brooke McDade McIntyre. He is also survived by his brother, William Neil Martin, and wife, Sandra, of Greensboro, N.C., along with their children, Mary Beth and Will. Will and his wife, Lauren, have two children and Mary Beth has one daughter. His brother, Alfred Calvin Martin preceded him in death.

The immediate family will be holding a private Celebration of Life Ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should be directed to Davis Health Care, Sinclair-Hogue House, 1011 Porters Neck Road, Wilmington, N.C. 28411 in Wayne’s memory. The family wants to express their appreciation to the staff at Davis Health Care for their loving care given to “John Wayne Martin” during his stay there.

It is with great joy and remorse that the family says goodbye to Wayne, as he is welcomed into God’s embrace. He has had a lasting impact on so many people’s lives. He will be remembered as a man of honor, integrity and love, who had a fabulous sense of humor. He will also be remembered by the joy he exhibited in being a husband, father and grandfather.

Condolences to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.