10/08/2026
David Luther Martin, Sr., 77, of Camden-on-Gauley, West Virginia, passed away on
October 6, 2026, on the family farm where he was born nearly 78 years earlier. His life
began and ended on the farm that was always such an important part of his life.
David was born October 21, 1948, to Tom and Helen Heilman Martin. He grew up on
the family farm with his older sister, Janice Martin Poling. He was preceded in death by
his parents, his sister, and his father and mother in-law, Hank and Deloris Ferrell
Blankenship.
David attended West Virginia Institute of Technology, where he earned his degree in
Civil Engineering. It was also at WVIT that he met his college sweetheart, Wanda
Blankenship. Years later, David returned to WVIT to earn a degree in Mining
Engineering, allowing him to continue his career while remaining at home with his
family. David and Wanda were married for 56 years and built a wonderful life and family
together.
David had a long career as an engineer and was both a Professional Engineer and
Professional Land Surveyor. He began his career with the West Virginia State Road, later
worked for Region 4 Planning and Development Council, and worked for several mining
companies throughout his career. He eventually returned to work for the State of West
Virginia, where he finished his career leading the Special Reclamation program for
mines.
David and Wanda had three children whom he adored. All three of his children followed
in his footsteps by attending WVIT and becoming engineers, something that made
David very proud.
David loved his six grandchildren beyond measure. Through the years, he was lovingly
known to them as Papaw Dave, Papa Dave, and Grandpa. He loved being part of their
lives and rarely missed an opportunity to show up for them. Whether it was a sporting
event, play, concert, awards ceremony, or another special occasion, they could count on
him being there. Watching them grow and celebrating their accomplishments brought
him great joy.
David was incredibly bright and could fix just about anything. He could usually figure
out what was wrong and how to make it work again. He was always willing to share
what he knew and was just as willing to lend a hand. Family, friends, and people
throughout the community knew they could count on him when they needed help.
David loved working on the family farm. He was especially known for his honey and
potatoes, which became favorites of people near and far. People looked forward to
getting them each year, and David took great pride in producing both.
David was an avid outdoorsman who especially loved boating, camping, hunting,
fishing, and backpacking. He shared his love of the outdoors with anyone who was
willing to go. Over the years, he took his son, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and many
others along with him. Those trips created memories and stories that will be treasured
for years to come.
David was a member of Little Union Baptist Church in Calvin, West Virginia. He also
served his community for many years as Chairman of the Board of the Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center.
David will be remembered for his intelligence, his determination, his generosity, and his
willingness to help anyone who needed him. He was a devoted husband, a loving Dad,
Papaw, Papa and Grandpa, an engineer, a farmer, an outdoorsman, and a good friend
and neighbor.
To his family, he was the person they could always call. When something broke, Dad
knew how to fix it. When there was a problem, he could usually figure it out. When
someone needed help, he showed up. Even after his children were grown and had
families of their own, he never stopped being their Dad and taking care of them.
David is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wanda Blankenship Martin; his children, Lori
(Paul) Shaffer, Lesley (Shane) Ridenour, and David Jr. “DJ” (Megan) Martin; his
grandchildren, Keegan and Kaden Shaffer, Nathanael (fiancée, Sarah) and Nicolas
Ridenour, and Margaux and Madelyn Martin; his sisters-in-law, Millie Gonzalez and
Sherry (Mike) Williams; his brother-in-law, Paul Blankenship; and many nieces and
nephews whom he loved dearly.
David’s family would like to express their special gratitude to his brother-in-law, Paul
Blankenship, whose love, support, and help during David’s final months were invaluable
to David, Wanda, and the entire family. The family would also like to thank Wanda
Wegman and Sharon Bowers Curry for their loving care of David.
David leaves behind a family who loved him deeply, a farm he cared for throughout his
life, and more people than could ever be counted who were helped by his knowledge,
generosity, and kindness. His family will miss his advice, his help, his stories, his
presence, and most of all, simply having him there.
He was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Little
Union Baptist Church in Calvin, West Virginia. Funeral services will begin at 3:00 p.m. at
the church, with burial immediately following at Alex Williams Cemetery in Camden-on-
Gauley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s memory to the West Virginia
Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or HospiceCare of West Virginia.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.adamsreedfh.com
Adams-Reed Funeral Home, Cowen, is honored to be serving the Martin family.
