Lee Roy Martin, 72

SALISBURY, Md. - Lee Roy Martin of Salisbury died of melanoma Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006, in Wicomico Nursing Home. He was 72.

Mr. Martin was born Oct. 24, 1934, in Medford, N.J., son of the late Roy Lee Martin and Alice (Wagner) Martin.

He attended Delmar Junior/Senior High School.

After high school, he served two years in the U.S. Army.

He retired from Salisbury Automotive, having served 20 years as the machine shop manager.

Mr. Martin was an avid restorer and collector of classic cars, namely 1955 to 1957 Chevrolets. He enjoyed drag racing in his early years, was a league team bowler on the International Bowlers Tour and was a former member of Retreads Motorcycle Club. He loved motorcycling, touring the U.S.A., as well as reading and traveling. He will be remembered for generously sharing collected classic car parts with others. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

He and his wife resided at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge during the time of Mr. Martin's treatments at University Maryland Cancer Center. Lasting friendships were made there and much love and support was shared among the residents and staff.

Mr. Martin was a charter member, former president, treasurer and was on the board of directors of the Mason-Dixon Classic Chevy Club, a former member of the Sand Dollar Walkers Club, a former member of the Hoodlifters Club, a member of Classic Chevy International, a member of the AARP, NRA, Goodguys Automotive and a member of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, Delmar, Del.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Dorothy (Oliphant) Martin.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Ann (Hastings) Martin; a son and a daughter-in-law, Jerry Lee and Janet (Burnett) Martin of Delmar; two grandchildren, Daniel Stephen Martin and Matthew Lee Martin, both of Delmar; a sister-in-law, Margaret Witte of Salisbury; a brother-in-law, Richard Hastings and his wife, Peggy, of Delmar; a niece and a nephew-in-law, Judy and Charles Bowen of Salisbury; a nephew and a niece-in-law, Rufus Lester Jr. and Charlotte Ammons of Delmar; and his Chocolate Lab "Hershey."

Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday in Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove St., Delmar, where friends may call one hour earlier. The Rev. Marsha Carpenter will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Stephens Cemetery, Delmar.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 636 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201.