Gerald “Jerry” Lee Martin Jr., CPO, LPO, FAAOP, passed away October 22 in New Port Richey, Florida. He was 49.
Martin began serving the O&P community as a registered prosthetic technician in Virginia. In 1994, he graduated with honors from Florida International University, Miami, earning a bachelor of science degree in prosthetics, after which he completed his prosthetics residency at The Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Soon thereafter, Martin returned to Florida, and as a certified prosthetist he established his own practice in Tamarac, near Ft. Lauderdale, where, in addition to running his practice, he could resume his sport-fishing hobby, according to an online obituary at www.legacy.com.
Martin traveled extensively to teach and mentor colleagues and made many humanitarian trips to Honduras and Jamaica. As a patient advocate, Martin lobbied with state representatives to gain support and eventual passage of the Florida O&P licensure law.
Martin is survived by grandmothers, Florence “Gross” Martin and Wilma Kimberly; parents, Gerald Martin Sr., Kitty Lou and Al Murphy; uncle, William Kimberly; sisters, Susan (Ralph) Blake, Patricia Doherty, and Meredith Rose; cousins, Cynthia Reece and Ken (Amy) Martin; former wife, Kimberly Martin Turnage; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
