Dellis L. Martin
1944-2021
On Sunday, January 24, 2021, Dellis Lear Martin went to be with his Lord and Savior.
Dellis was born at home, in Tunnelton, W.Va., on April 13, 1944, the third son of Ralph Edward and Mattie Isabelle Weaver Martin.
He received his public-school education, graduating from Tunnelton High School in 1962. As a senior, Dellis was a member of the first basketball team to go to the state tournaments. He received a Benedum Scholarship to continue his college education at Fairmont State College (University). Dellis graduated from FSC in 1967 with a BA in industrial Arts and Physical Education. He was a member of Theta XI Fraternity. In 1974, he received an MA in Technology Education from WVU.
Dellis began teaching at Berkeley Springs High School in the fall of 1967. He coached junior high football and basketball for several years and was later the freshman basketball coach and assistant varsity coach. He taught at BSHS for 35 years and greatly enjoyed teaching young men and women. Often, on Saturday, he would load up the car with boys to take them to Washington, D.C. to go to the various museums at the Smithsonian.
When Dellis retired from teaching, he worked for 13 years for one of his former students, Kent Kesecker, doing real estate appraisals. He thoroughly enjoyed working with the people in that office.
Dellis was a Christian and was a 50+ year member of First United Methodist Church in Berkeley Springs. He served on various committees and loved helping the kitchen crew with dinners. He volunteered at MCEIC and Starting Points Mealtime Program.
He was a loving husband and father. On a trip down memory lane with Shawn and me on Thursday before he passed, he reminisced about his life. He was thankful for the many wonderful men he called friends. He was so happy to have been able to share end of year fishing trips, golfing trips, hunting trips and coaching activities with them. He told of his love of coaching young men and he hoped he had left behind a legacy of kindness.
Dellis is survived by his wife of 54 years, his sunshine, Linda, whom he married on September 3, 1966; his loving son, Shawn, and his wife Dea, whom he considered a daughter; his brother Terry (Debbie) and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Everett and two sisters-in-laws, Rutha and Maxie.
Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Morgan County Student Aid Fund, c/o Becky Stotler, CNB, Box 130, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 or to a charity of ones’ choice.
Celebration of life will be conducted on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 49 South Green Street, with Pastor Joshua Rider officiating.
There will be no services at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Hunter-Anderson Funeral Home, 36 S Green Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
