Randy Ferdinand Martin

Randy Ferdinand Martin (born Ferdinand Cash Cooksey, Jr.), beloved husband, strong father, devoted friend, and pillar of the community passed away with his wife, sons, and daughters-in-law at his bedside on August 17, 2024. Randy was born to Ferdinand Cash Cooksey and Marie Carmelite Frere on December 5, 1951, in La Plata, MD. When Marie remarried, after Ferdinand’s passing when he was very young, he was adopted by Joseph Brent “Snorter” Martin. With the “yours, mine, and ours” blended family they created, Randy was the second oldest of their seven children. He grew up in La Plata, MD and worked for many years of his youth at Martin’s Service Station, which is still owned by the Martin family and stands in the center of La Plata, MD today. Randy was an accomplished, all-state saxophone player in high school, and played professionally as a member of the band, Methuselah. He enjoyed many evenings having a second dinner and banana split at Twin Kiss after a long shift at the service station. Randy was a graduate of La Plata High School, having recently attended his 50-year reunion in 2019 at which he received a Certificate of Recognition for his role on the planning committee. He later attended the University of MD and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing. It was at a University of MD dance - a 50’s party on the Denton Five floor of his dormitory - where he experienced love at first sight with Cheryl Lynn Blum. They were married on February 15, 1976, and began their life together in Washington, DC. They were blessed with two boys, Sean and Justin, and moved their family to Potomac, MD, settling eventually in Annapolis, MD several years later. Randy was blessed with five grandchildren, whom he loved dearly and spoiled often. As their biggest fan, he rarely missed any of their sports competitions, performances, recitals, or school functions. Randy also had many hobbies, including riding in his Jeep Wrangler, going surf fishing, and rooting for the Baltimore Ravens and Maryland Terrapins. He enjoyed traveling every year around holiday time to visit family in Florida, which he lovingly called “the Florida crew”. In his lifetime, Randy was an active member of several different communities that he chose to serve loyally. When living in Potomac, MD, Randy was a Vice President of Country Glen’s HOA Board of Directors. In the summer of 1992, Randy moved his family to a beautiful, quiet neighborhood and peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay called Bay Ridge. While living in Bay Ridge, a place Randy often referred to as “home,” Randy assisted with the land appraisals to help save the “big woods” conservation land parcel. Randy also supported the charter membership program that was created to finance the construction of Bay Ridge’s new community pool. As a religious man with deep roots in the Catholic faith, Randy was a devout member of Our Lady of Mercy in Potomac, MD, Saint Mary’s Parish in Annapolis, MD, and Saint Christopher’s Church, a Roman Catholic Parish in Chester, MD. Randy also became a member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Joseph G. McManus Council #7941 in Chester, MD. Randy was extremely proud to be a 4th degree Knight and served as their financial secretary. Randy also proudly supported his sons in all of their academic and athletic endeavors at Our Lady of Mercy, Saint Mary’s Elementary School, DeMatha Catholic High School, Severn School, Mount Saint Mary’s University, and the University of Maryland, College Park. Whether coaching or supporting from the sidelines, Randy’s booming and deep voice was distinguished and remembered by all who heard him. Randy was dubbed the “Voice of DeMatha” for his twenty-plus years announcing DeMatha football games. In 2008, Randy received a kidney transplant due to having polycystic kidney disease (PKD). To help raise funds to increase PKD awareness, he participated in the National Kidney Foundation’s National Kidney Walk. To help with the journeys of patients with kidney disease, Randy mentored many patients who attended peer support groups at Washington Hospital Center. In 2020, Randy was also recognized as “Man of the Year” for raising significant funds to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a cause near and dear to his heart, since he was a two-time survivor of non-Hodgkin’s and central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas. Randy's father, Joseph Brent "Snorter" Martin also had leukemia. Randy began his career as a clothing salesman at Steven Windsor Big & Tall in Rockville, MD where he quickly became an assistant manager. He joined the Chrysler Corporation and after a short time was promoted to district manager in Raleigh, NC and was eventually transferred to the D.C. Metro district. After many years of service, he decided to begin taking real estate classes. He eventually earned his broker’s license in multiple states and began work at Carey Winston, now Transwestern, where he had 38 years of dedicated service. During those years of service, he achieved the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. When Randy “retired,” he created Martin Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC and continued to serve several of his loyal clients. Randy is preceded in death by his fathers, Ferdinand Cash Cooksey and Joseph Brent “Snorter” Martin; his mother Marie Martin; his Aunt Marion Frere and several beloved uncles. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Cheryl Martin; sons Sean (Kelly) and Justin (Beverly) and his five grandchildren, Connor, Keira, Everly, Annie, and Carsen; his sisters Brenda (Richard) Mudd, Terry (Dane) Earnheart, Jean Moreland, Elizabeth (Evan) Sine; his brothers David (Kirsten) and Joseph “Marty” (Caroline) Martin; three godchildren, Kipi Moreland, Taylor Martin, and Lee Seward (son of long-time friends), and a host of nieces and nephews. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives. A visitation will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home in Chester, MD on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 from 6 pm to 8pm. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church located at 620 N Bestgate Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401. Burial to follow in Bestgate Memorial Gardens, Annapolis, MD. Following the burial, Friends, Family and Business Associates are invited to a celebration of life at The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers 610 N Bestgate Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401. Please keep in mind and bring with you some “Randy Stories” to share at the celebration. In lieu of flowers, Cheryl, Sean and Justin would request donations be made in Randy’s honor to any of the following worthy causes that Randy supported: ● DeMatha Catholic High School ● National Kidney Foundation ● Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ● Knights of Columbus, Fr. Joseph G. McManus Council #7941 (NOTE: Please do NOT make your donations to the main Knights of Columbus organization)

Randy Ferdinand Martin

December 5, 1951 - August 17, 2024