Anthony Ray Martin

10/9/54 – 7/29/19

Tony (Anthony Ray) Martin was born in Kansas City, Kansas to Mamie (Murrell) and Joseph Martin. He moved with his family to Salina, Kansas in grade school where he began playing tennis in a public parks program. His love of the sport and passionate work ethic earned him a place on the Salina Central High School Varsity Team.

At Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, he joined a tradition rich tennis program as Captain and Number #1 player. His Bethany teams earned 4 Kansas Conference Championships, and twice advanced to the NAIA National Tournament. Tony Martin was selected for the Bethany College Athletic Hall of Fame. In his family, he was a first-generation college graduate. Upon graduation, Tony played professional tennis with victories over nationally ranked players.

Tony began his coaching career as Regis College, Colorado, Men’s and Women’s Coach. He served as Volunteer Women’s Coach at the University of Michigan. While in Michigan he coached the championship Pioneer High School Boys’ Team. Tony returned to college coaching successfully building the Duquesne Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division 1 programs. He later repeated success coaching the Eastern Michigan Men’s Team. He coached many players to become scholar athletes and learn the teamwork and dedication they needed to become successful in life.

Tony continued giving back to the sport of tennis as a respected USPTA teaching professional in Naples, Florida. He taught for many years on the island of Jamaica and enjoyed the comradery of Jamaican pros. His "less is more" reminder on the court taught us to take the game with ease and thus perform our best.

Throughout his lifetime, Tony utilized his mental toughness to rise above all obstacles in life, including the challenge of stage iv cancer he faced the last 4 1/2 years. Even then, he continued to volunteer for a local high school tennis team. He also assisted his cancer support group in the first Lungevity Breathe Deep Fundraising Walk in Ft. Myers, Florida. His idea starting his support group’s monthly ‘Happy Hour’ reminded us to focus on the joy of being together.

Tony’s true dedication was to his first love, his wife, Susan Sholle-Martin. They shared proud and loving devotion to their children Sean and Tiffany. Of all his successful accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. He helped his brothers and sisters to connect more as family through starting Martin Family Reunions. The memories of his parents and siblings Ida, Dora, Alverns and Willie and others who have passed are honored at each reunion. He is survived by his brother Richard Martin and sister Linda Martin (Kansas City, KS); sister Pat Richards (Sacramento, CA) and sister Jackie Martin (Savoy, IL).

Tony Martin touched many lives. His winning smile, sense of humor, and generous Spirit shone wherever he was present. He taught us all to make the best of what we have and how we are treated by focusing on what we can control and always returning love and forgiveness to others. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Please join his family for celebration of his life on October 5, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at Graceway Church, 5460 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Kansas City, MO 64133 (Phone 816-358-1515) AND on November 2, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Joanne’s House Chapel at Hope Hospice, 27200 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (Phone 800-835-1673).

His family asks that all those who wish to honor him with a donation may do so by making their tax-deductible donation to the Tony Martin Memorial to benefit the Bethany College Tennis Program at the following link: https://www.bethanylb.edu/support/ (After clicking the link, click on the Donate button, then enter your donation in the Amount box, then click continue and enter ‘Tony Martin Memorial’ into the Description box before submitting your payment information.)