Fredrick Douglas "Duck" Martin, age 68, of Bluefield, WV, departed this life Friday, May 31, 2024, at Bluefield Regional Hospital following a short illness. Fredrick Martin was born in Welch, WV on April 4, 1956, to the late Luther Martin Jr. and Katherine Isom Martin.

He is survived by the love of his life, Rebecca "Cookie" Dowell Martin of 31 years. He is survived by his daughters Latasha (John) Turner, and Aaliyah Dowell, Bluefield, WV and Goddaughter Dr. Kimberly (Scott) Graves of Pittsburgh, PA. Being a grandfather was the joy of his life and he leaves to cherish many good memories of being called "Paw Paw" his granddaughters Destiny Patterson, Miracle, and Faith Turner of Bluefield, WV.  Grandsons Preston Turner, Charleston, WV; Scott Graves III, Sean Graves and Christopher Graves, Pittsburgh, PA, Shakeise and Sha'Keme Allen of Bluefield, WV.

Two sisters, Phyllis (Mitchell) Martin Penn-Williams of Greensboro, NC, and Twilia Belcher of Charlotte, NC; brothers, Jerry (Judith) Martin of Sanford, FL; Donald (Karen) Martin of Charlotte, NC; Kent Martin of Durham, NC; Elder Stanley D. (Ann) Martin, Sr. Greensboro, NC; Cortez (Vanessa) Martin of Greensboro, NC, and Adrian "AJ" Martin of Greensboro, NC; brothers-in-law Reverend Adrian E. (Denise) Dowell Sr. Salem, VA and Orlando C. Dowell Sr. Raleigh, NC. Fred was well-loved by a host of nieces and nephews, especially Terrance Penn of Greensboro, NC; Charles "CJ" Belcher of Charlotte, NC; and Torrey Belcher of Atlanta, GA; Terry L. Dowell of Bluefield, WV; Orlando Dowell Jr. of Raleigh, NC; Ashley Mitchell of Blacksburg, VA; and Ty'Niqua Dowell of Bluefield, WV.  He enjoyed an especially close relationship with his former sisters-in-law Lisa Martin of Bluefield WV, and Macie Martin of Charlotte, NC. Special close friends, Reverend James H. Mitchell, Sr. and Mrs. Anne (William) Taylor "neighbor".

Fred graduated from Bluefield High School and was an accomplished basketball player.  He graduated with honors from the former Bluefield State College, now Bluefield State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting and Business Management.  After graduating, he was employed at Norfolk Southern Railroad. For a brief time, he relocated to Greensboro, NC where he was employed by Corning Corporation.  In 1990, he returned to Bluefield, WV, where he became a night manager at Walmart in Bluefield, VA, and received several honors such as manager of the year and being a 15-year employee associate. After leaving Walmart, Fred was employed at Lowes Home Improvement in Princeton, WV, and remained there until his illness in April 2024.

At an early age, he accepted Christ and joined John Stewart United Methodist Church in Bluefield, WV.

Fred's favorite pastimes were reading, running, and coaching basketball. Fred will be truly missed by his family and friends, we will especially miss the rituals of making calls and sending emails early in the morning, his active participation in community activities, and his greatest achievement as an advocate for equal education for all especially, special education services.

The family will receive friends at John Stewart United Methodist Church in Bluefield, WV Friday, June 7, 2024 beginning at 12:00PM. Funeral services will begin at 1:00PM with the Reverend Adrian E. Dowell Sr., Reverend James Mitchell and Elder Stanley Martin officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.