Obituary for Johnny Austin "John" Martin

Johnny Austin “John” Martin, 79, of Salisbury, passed away March 28, 2024 at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.

Born January 5, 1945 in Rowan County, he was the son of the late Austin Martin and Virginia Burch.

He was a graduate of North Rowan High School.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served with the Air Force Police in Saigon during the 1968 TET Offense and participated in the defense of Tan Son Nhut Air Base and Urban Street fighting during the TET attacks on Saigon.

John began his dispatching career with the Salisbury Fire Department in November 1977 and was one of the original eight dispatchers hired when the county moved to 911 Communications.

He also served as an Emergency Medical Responder with the Spencer Fire Department.

He was a nationally certified emergency medical dispatcher.

He was a member of the Vietnam Security Police Association and the Tan Son Nhut Association.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Rosa Maria Herrera Martin on July 30, 1985.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, John “Johnny” Martin Jr. of Mooresville, James Eric Martin of Salisbury, Angie Wagoner of Spencer and Josefina Herrera of Wichita Falls, TX; sister, Elaine Cram; granddaughters, Cassidy

Martin and Barbara Skinner; grandsons, Andrew and Tyler Adams and Alex Schultz.

Visitation will be from 1-2PM Thursday, April 4, at Oakdale Baptist Church.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:00PM Thursday at Oakdale Baptist Church with Pastor Jonathan Collins officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow in Oakdale Baptist Church Cemetery.

Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Martin family.