Lenny Harvey Martin, Jr. Obituary (1935 - 2014)

Leonard "Lenny" Harvey Martin, Jr., 78, husband of Jean Harrelson Martin, died Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 in River Oaks Residential Care in Port Royal, SC. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 18, 2014 at 8:30am at Community Bible Church with interment in Beaufort National Cemetery with military honors and police officer honors. Mr. Martin was born on November 16, 1935 in Springfield, SC. He is the son of the late Leonard Harvey Martin, Sr. and Sara Lansford Martin. Though Mr. Martin was born during the great depression, this didn't stop him from achieving many accomplishments in both the military and law enforcement. He began his Marine Corp career at the age of 16 with a forged birth certificate. Mr. Martin served as a chaplains assistant. Mr. Martin began his law enforcement career in 1965 with the Beaufort County Sheriff's department as a patrolman. Over the years he was promoted in rank to Sgt. in 1973, Lt. in 1983 and as a Captain in 1993. He retired in 1996 after 30 years of service. Some of his many accomplishments include: First full time motorcycle officer in the police department Wrote the first juvenile procedures manual in the state of SC First full time juvenile officer for the Beaufort police department Director of the police movie club for 22 years First Director of the Beaufort police Cadet program Started the annual Toys 4 Tots and Christmas food distribution Wrote and directed the movie "The Empty Swing" with John Walsh Started the Teddy Bear ministry at Beaufort Memorial Hospital Has received over 150 letters of commendation and over 75 citations of merit Attended numerous colleges and schools in reference to child abuse, child pedophiles and related courses involving juveniles. Officer of the year in 1980 Received family Annual Fest Award in 1983 Mr. Martins passion was working with young juveniles and their families. He had several programs devised to keep them out of juvenile court. He was able to protect hundreds of them from having juvenile records. His program required them to go to church. While these were some of his accomplishments the one he is most proud of is his family. Surviving in addition to his wife, Jean of Beaufort, SC are one son, Leonard Harvey Martin, III; two daughters, Sara Winn Mixson "Windy", and Gena Michele Gommer; 3 step children, Thomas Parker, III (deceased), Renea Jean Parker, and James Michael Parker; two brothers, Ernest E. Gesell, III, and Alton Turner Martin (deceased); two sisters Mary Hudson (deceased), and Judi Judge; seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife of 48 years, Geraldine "Deanie" Martin. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Beaufort Police Movie Club. P.O. Box 898, Beaufort, SC 29901