He was a charter member of Epsilon-Mu Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity; editor of the "Rebel," the campus literary magazine; as well as editor, sports writer and columnist for the East Carolinian. He served three years in the United States Army, stationed in Panama. Roy had a long and distinguished career as a writer, broadcaster and teacher. He was the first Sunday Editor of the Daily Reflector; a writer for the Raleigh Times; City Editor for the Greensboro Record; and Metro Editor for the Washington Star. In 1978 he moved to Roanoke, Va., to become a television News Director and later a teacher. A novelist and a Pulitzer nominee, Roy served as President and Co-chair of the Blue Ridge Writers conference. He was predeceased by his parents, J. Roy Martin Sr. and Lillian Haislip Martin; as well as one sister, Peggy Martin Woodruff. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sylvia R. Martin; two sons, Joseph Roy III and wife, Chri, of Dusseldorf, Germany, and John Staten Martin, of Roanoke; two stepchildren, Kathryn Cruze and husband, Dale, of Orlando, Fla., and Andy Allison and wife, Kira, of Springfield, Va.; six grandchildren; two nieces; and two nephews. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, November 23, 2009, at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Roanoke. The Reverend Dr. Quigg Lawrence will officiate. A visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Oakey's South Chapel, 540-989-3131. Memorials may be made to Young Life of the Roanoke Valley.
Photo courtesy of Roanoke.com
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