Kenneth Wayne Martin Sr.
Kenneth Wayne Martin Sr., 82, a prominent local businessman of Mars, formerly of Upper St. Clair and Treesdale, passed into the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ Monday.
Ken is a longtime member of North Way Christian Community in Wexford.
Ken has been in the life insurance business with the New York Life Insurance Co. for 60 years and a charter member of the company's chairman's council. Mr. Martin's career involved working with professional businessmen and closely held corporations.
His specialty was estate planning and succession programs such as buy-and-sell agreements. Working in conjunction with several law firms and accountants, he acted as the “quarterback” to make sure everything in a person's estate was done properly and efficiently.
As in many other businesses, the life blood of a company are referrals and satisfied customers. His clients gladly referred him to others, and as a result, he not only built a successful business but has clients all over the world and stayed in touch with them on a regular basis.
Other life accomplishments included being a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, which represents 1 percent of all life insurance agents in the world; the director of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriters; the president of Teen Challenge, which deals with problems associated with alcohol and drug addiction; and the co-chairman of the building fund for the North Way Christian Community Church in Wexford.
Kenneth also was the chief financial officer of South East Asia Prayer Center, overseeing an annual budget of $3 million globally. SEAPC partnered with the Chinese government in 2010 to build a cardio-care facility in Tibet, and he then raised the funds to furnish it with a state-of-the art cath lab. Each year a team of volunteer American and Asian doctors and staff members traveled to Tibet to treat children with congenital heart problems caused by the high altitude of the country. Without this medical treatment most of these children will die at a very young age. Ken raised the funds to send these volunteers to Tibet each year.
He also worked closely with SEAPC President, Mark Geppert in the work of building 14 children's homes, schools and a college in the country of Cambodia.
Kenneth leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Phyllis Petroff Martin.
He is the father of Ken Jr. of Mars, Randy and his wife, Debbie, of Wexford, Cindy Werner of Mars, Timothy of Economy, and the late Sean Patrick Martin; and the grandfather of Brandon Martin of Lawrence, Chelsey Werner of Slippery Rock, Luke Werner of Mars and Amanda Coleman of Wexford.
Kenneth also is preceded in death by his parents, James and Agnes Baldesburger Martin of Castle Shannon; and his brothers, James Jr., Regis, Warren, Russell and Joseph Martin.
MARTIN — Friends of Kenneth Wayne Martin, who died Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Simons Funeral Home, 7720 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh.A celebration of life memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at North Way Christian Community in Wexford.Contributions may be made to SEAPC (South East Asia Prayer Center) at P.O. Box 127, Oakmont, PA 15139.For more information, visit www.simonsfuneralhome.com.
