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.