Mr. John Walter Martin of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, age 66, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2023 at home surrounded by his loved ones from a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was a worthy opponent to his cancer, surviving longer than expected. He was born on April 3, 1957 in Gulfport, Mississippi to Sam and Maggie {Bell) Martin.

Mr. Martin was a lifelong resident of Walton County, Florida. He was Baptist by faith. He was the eldest and only son of three children and with this came great responsibilities. He stepped into his responsibility at a very young age by being the man of the home while his father worked stateside and out of the country. While his father was on a two-year overseas job in South Africa, he and his mother lived with his grandparents, Rube and Minnie Rushing of Ponce de Leon, Florida. His grandparents made a pronounced impression on him. His mother and grandparents had trouble keeping him busy because he was a very energetic little boy. He learned a lot in those two years.

John loved to fish. His first experience in fishing was with a cane pole sitting on the Sandy Creek riverbank with his Granny and his mother. Since his mother or grandmother could not swim, he was kept at a safe distance from the riverbank. The love of fishing never left him, it was just upgraded to fishing from a boat on the river.

You could not live with Granny and Grandpa without knowing how to have a garden. At an early age, the seed for gardening was planted within John. While at Walton High School, he grew peanuts as part of his Future Farmer of America project on his grandparent's land. His love for gardening and growing different kinds of vegetables continued in all seasons. He shared his garden's bounty with everyone.

John was taught, along with all his cousins, what nature had to offer by his grandfather on long walks in the woods, crossing the branch, looking for unusual rocks, and sawing up fish bait from the ground. This is why being outside was where he wanted to be.

In 1969, a family business was formed. John spent summers and weekends learning the business from his father. He worked long and hard hours because the nature of the business required it. After the death of his father, the business was passed to his leadership. John was a boss who saw more than just an employee. He saw to the welfare of not only the employees but their family, as well. The legacy of the business continues under Martin Bell Well Drilling with John's godson, Jerrod Bell.

Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his father; maternal grandparents Ruby Walter Bell and Minnie Idell (Rushing) Bell of Ponce de Leon, Florida; paternal grandparents John Everett Martin and Evie Mariah (Janes) Martin Baily of Brewton, Alabama.

Those left to cherish his memory: his mother; his sisters Linda (Jody), Charlotte (George); nieces Rachel, Kathleen (Jeremy), Kathryn (Houston), Lauryn; and a host of extended family, friends, his beloved horse Ginger, and dog Molly.

The family would like to thank Dr. James Howell for taking excellent care of John along with the nurses of Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast and Sacred Heart Oncology Group in Destin. The family would like to thank everyone who said a prayer, provided transportation, food, and visits to John and his family.

A time of visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel; 230 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 19, 2023 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Kenny Montgomery.

Pallbearers will be Jerrod Bell, Luke Cotton, Kenny Owens, Cody Boland, Jamie Singletary, Ben Bradford, Mark Bell, and Wayne Rushing.

Flowers are being accepted.

Burial will follow in Alaqua Methodist Church Cemetery in DeFuniak Springs.

You may view funeral services live at https://www.facebook.com/claryglennfh/