Michael “Mike” Reynolds Martin passed away peacefully from this life
among his family and friends on April 2, 2019, and moved to his Lord
and many others who lovingly awaited his arrival.
Mike was born on January 25, 1945, to Eula Mae and Reynolds Martin. He
attended school in Jasper and graduated from Walker High School, where
he was place-kicker for the Viking football team.
He attended Walker College and Auburn University and resided in Jasper
for a number of years thereafter.
Mike served in the National Guard from 1966-1971. Always a person
recognizing an opportunity, Mike and his family relocated to Orange
Beach, Alabama, in 1985, where he embarked upon a successful career in
real estate.
He continued his career with Kaiser Sotheby’s International Real
Estate until very recently.
Among many who cherish Mike’s memory are: his wife, Melanie Mikell
Martin (formerly of Prentiss); his children, Zac Martin (Julie) of
Birmingham, Alabama, Missy Courts (Clay) of Atlanta, Georgia, and
Mikell Frechette of Jasper, Alabama; brother, Pat Martin of Pensacola,
Florida; grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Mollye, Cam and Emmy
Courts and Catherine Martin.
Mike will be remembered for his contributions to the Orange Beach
revitalization and growth during the years of his participation in
many endeavors and events that lead to the wonderful results now
enjoyed by so many.
Mike was also (and almost silently) instrumental in assisting the
state of Alabama (particularly Tuscaloosa County) in the pursuit of
automotive manufacturers and suppliers by welcoming them many times to
his home with his innate beach hospitality.
He will also be remembered for his many other attributes, including
his love of family, community and friends and an overall gift for
making people around him feel better the moment they encountered his
warm handshake, hug (or both), always with a welcoming and endearing
smile.
Throughout his lifetime, Mike was actively involved in many activities
which he believed would make lives and situations better from some
young people we all encounter each day and whom we know could use a
helping and encouraging hand.
His primary focus for years has been assisting the Youth Reach Gulf
Coast organization, which emphasized the restoration of lost futures.
In that spirit, a special and recently endowed fund has been created
to continue Mike’s dream: The Mike Martin Change a Life Project c/o
Youth Reach (Gulf Coast), P.O. Box 357, Summerdale, AL 36580
(www.youth-reach.org).
A celebration honoring and observance of Mike’s remarkable life was
held on April 6, 2019, at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach,
Orange Beach, Alabama.