T. Baldwin Martin, Jr.

Thomas Baldwin Martin, Jr., 91, died Tuesday. April 24, 2018. He was born on October 22, 1926 to T. Baldwin and Benji Mathias Martin, a third generation Maconite, where he lived his entire life devoted to his family, his community, the practice of law, and the law firm that his grandfather founded in 1890. After graduating from Lanier High School, Baldwin went on to receive a BA degree from Mercer University, where he was a member of SAE and Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. His J.D. was completed at Walter F. George School of Law and his L.L.M. degree was earned at Northwestern University in Chicago. He loved the law; studied and practiced it for 47 years; took great pride in the law firm Martin, Snow, (Grant and Napier); and considered his law partners and other members of the firm to be part of his family. Baldwin was instrumental in bringing the Macon Mall to our city, having represented the developers and owners for many years. He handled numerous real estate transactions involving thousands of acres of timberlands, especially for Georgia Timberlands. In his practice of the law, he had the unique ability and skill to bring hostile parties to the negotiating table to resolve complex legal and factual issues without the need for litigation. An active contributor to his community, he served on the Board of Directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association; the Advisory Board of the Macon office of First Union; the Advisory Board of Capital City Bank; the Board of Directors of Bearings & Drives, Inc.; the President's Council at Mercer University, and the Board of Directors for First Presbyterian Day School. Baldwin was an avid and accomplished outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman and served, like his father before him and his son, Fred, after him, as the President of the Satilla River Club. He took hunting and fishing trips to Mexico, Alaska, and many countries in South America with his family, friends, and law partners. A founding Member of the Bon Hommes and the Macon Civic Club, Baldwin also served as the President of the Macon Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was the President of Lone Star Corporation and the Martin Foundation; Chairman of the Board of Woodland Christian Church, where he and Mrs. Martin were founding members; and he also served on the Knife and Fork Club of the Mulberry Street United Methodist Church. The Shield Club, Senior Civic Club, and Macon Touchdown Club were also important to him. Baldwin is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years Joyce McAfee, and their four children: Molly McAfee Martin of Macon, Beverly Baldwin Martin of Atlanta, Thomas Baldwin Martin III and his wife Dianne, of Williams, Oregon, and Fred Montgomery Martin and his wife Traci of Macon; six grandchildren: Willow Martin, Mana Martin, Shanti Martin, Monty Martin, Will Martin and Cooper Martin; and five great grandchildren ~ a family that he fostered and devoted himself to every day. He was a man of simple tastes who gave much and rarely, if ever, asked for anything in return. His approach to life was filled with great optimism, joy, and mischief and he taught his family the importance of stewardship and service. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Mulberry United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Mulberry Methodist Church, 719 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201 or Historic Linda Plantation Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Inc., 577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1600, Macon, GA 31201. Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.

The family will greet friends immediately following the service.