Kenneth Martin

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Kenneth Martin, age 73, of North Port, Florida, who passed away on April 9, 2026. Ken passed peacefully while under hospice care in Port Charlotte, Florida, after courageously battling a long-term illness over the past several years. Ken was born on March 16, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ira Lou and Clara Martin. He was the third of six children, alongside his siblings Robert, Lew, Janie, and his younger twin brothers, Ron and Don. Ken spent his early years in Michigan, where he married his longtime friend and the love of his life, Cindy Stewart, in 1972. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised four children. In December 1983, they moved their family to Florida in search of new opportunities, warmer weather, and to be closer to Ken’s parents, who had relocated there in the late 1970s. After moving to Florida, Ken began working as an Assistant Golf Pro at a local golf course, combining his career with his lifelong passion for the game. He later transitioned to a career with the City of North Port, where he worked faithfully until his retirement. Anyone who knew Ken knew that golf was more than a hobby, it was a true passion. He also enjoyed deer hunting trips with his father, sons, brothers, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ken loved watching sports, especially golf and football, and remained a loyal Detroit Lions fan, grateful to see his team’s recent success. Above all, Ken was a devoted family man. He loved cooking, entertaining, and bringing people together. He took pride in creating his own recipes and sharing his love of cooking with his children. From a young age, Ken worked hard to provide a good life for his family, creating countless memories through vacations; whether at lakeside cabins in Michigan, camping trips to Camp Dearborn, visits to Busch Gardens, or cherished summer trips to his condo on Marco Island. Those beach vacations, filled with fishing, swimming, parasailing, and laughter, remain some of the most treasured memories for both his children and grandchildren. Jennifer, his firstborn, fondly remembers her dad throwing her birthday parties, decorating, and baking her chocolate cake when she was young. She recalls fishing trips, her dad teaching her how to drive and cook, going on an anniversary cruise with him and her mother, and especially the pride and joy in his eyes when he became a grandfather, and later, a great-grandfather. He wasn’t just “Grandpa”, he was “Papa.” In her later years, Jennifer deeply cherished the time spent simply talking, laughing, bonding and singing along to the “oldies” with her dad. Those moments remain her most treasured memories. Kenny says the best memories with his dad are also the best memories of his life, like the first time he got to go hunting, when he and his dad were together, and he got a big buck. They were hugging, laughing, yelling and crying! It was an amazing moment! (Its mounted at his brother Lew’s cabin) That same week he brought Kenny to his first Lions game at the Pontiac Silver-dome; it was snowing like crazy outside but they got into the stadium and had an incredible time. The times they went deep sea fishing, just the two of them, were also so special to Kenny. When Ken was driving an 18 wheeler over night to make extra money and let Kenny ride with him, they would laugh so much at the truckers talking crap on the c.b. to each other. Kenny and his dad became really close over the last couple of years, and he would go watch the Lions and Michigan games every weekend with him. It didn't really matter if they won or not, they just enjoyed the time together! Kenny says “ when golfing together, he would never let me win, until I did, and he was happy for me. He became my friend, and was always so proud of me. I have so many more memories, but those are my favorites.” Ryan remembers weekends spent watching football together and enjoying his dad’s famous chicken wings. In more recent years, some of his favorite memories were the trips Ken and Cindy took to Europe to visit him and his family. Together, they explored Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, and Italy over the course of many years, creating lasting memories across generations. Beth spent a lot of one on one time with dad before she started school. Dad would refer to her as his "little dumpling". He would take her fishing, shushed her when she talked too much cause "talking scared the fish away." He loved us, provided for us, believed in us. His face would light up when you entered the room. His eyes glowed the deepest blue. He was proud to be our dad. Ken is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Cindy (Stewart) Martin; his children Jennifer (Scott) Staebler, Kenny Martin, Ryan (Whitney) Martin, and Beth Bailey; his grandchildren Kelsea, Joseph, Samantha, Skylar, Weston, Evan, Aiden, Olivia, Madilyn, and Abigail; his great-grandchildren Zayne, Noah, Waylon, and Julianna; his bonus grandchildren Javanni, Jocelyn, Jeremiah, and Josiah; his siblings Janie Calpin and Ron Martin; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira Lou and Clara Martin; his in-laws, Clarence and Beverly Stewart; his brothers Robert, Don, and Lew Martin; and his sisters-in-law Cora Brewer and Cheryl Kyees. A Memorial and a Celebration of Life reception is being planned for Monday, May 11th; details to follow on Facebook. In the final years of his life, Ken grew deeply in his faith. He regularly watched church services online, read his Bible, and prayed with his wife, often sharing what he had learned with Cindy and his daughter Jennifer. If his life could be summed up in a few words, it would be this: he found God. It is both his wish and ours that all who knew him may come to know that same peace. “As it is written: ‘If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved… For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Romans 10:9–10, 13 Ken believed this truth, and God has now called him home. This is not goodbye, but rather, “see you again soon,” when we are reunited in our eternal home, arriving, as Ken would say, by way of the Great Fairway to Heaven.

Kenneth Martin

March 16, 1953 - April 9, 2026