Martyn Clarke Mercer, Jr (Clarke), 87, passed away on May 29, 2022.
Clarke Jr, as he was often called, was born and raised in Cedartown, GA, the son of the late Mary Hammond and Martyn Clarke Mercer, Sr.
He was a graduate of Cedartown High School where he was active in various activities. He was an avid Boy Scout earning the rank Eagle Scout, an achievement of which he always cherished.
Clarke attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where he received his Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree. During these years, he was active in the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity and remained very close with his Brothers. Throughout his life he returned to campus most years for the annual Homecoming game to reunite with his Fraternity Brothers.
There they reminisced about their days at Tech though their stories needed no embellishment. He and his Brothers were proud to say they were Ramblin’ Wrecks and Helluva Engineers! Clarke was also a member of the Georgia Tech Marching Band as a drummer and member of The Techniques, a dance band that played many parties and venues on and off campus. Clarke also served in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. (ROTC).
Immediately following graduation, he married Gayle Darlene Lockridge, the love of his life. Following their honeymoon, he served in the Army for two years. After his discharge, Clarke began his storied career in Steel Fabrication working for various companies including Steel, Inc, Bethlehem Steel, and ultimately as partner with the Musselman Steel Company in Tampa Florida. It was during this partnership that he was honored to have provided many of the subterranean foundation supports for the World Trade Center in New York City.
Clarke and Gayle raised five children: Martyn C Mercer III “Marty,” Mary Catherine “Katy”, Carolyn Gayle “Carol”, Samuel Mitchell “Mitchell”, and Flora Anne “Flo.” Always a family man, Clarke thrived when he was doing things with his family. A life-long scout, he was active in scouting with his boys and girls leading many camping trips after he built the infamous “The Brok’n Oar,” the Swiss army knife of camping trailers. It was on these many camping adventures that he shared his love of outdoors while teaching his children everything he knew about outdoor life.
Clarke also was committed to his children’s love of competitive swimming, and while he spent countless hours traveling with them around Florida to many long swim meets, he found the time to design and build a fully electronic timing system long before electronic timing systems were commonplace. His love of the marching band also had an impact in his children’s lives because both Mitchell and Flo were members of the Plant High School Marching Band. Clarke always enjoyed helping with homework and any chance to teach others. The family enjoyed many family vacations at Sanibel Island, Florida.
After retirement, Clarke and Gayle built their dream home in Blue Ridge, GA, where he was active in the Blue Ridge community – Kiwanis Club, the Fannin County Literacy Action Group (FLAG), and other volunteer activities. Clarke joined the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge in the mid 90’s and immediately began to make an impact on the lives of the children of Fannin County and Blue Ridge. He was instrumental in helping with many community service projects, such as Boy Scouts, Sunny D Theater, and he helped the Fannin County Food Pantry become established and organized as Fannin County Family Connections.
His faith was always strong. He spent many hours serving at Tampa United Methodist Church in Tampa and later as Sunday School teacher for the high school ages in Blue Ridge, GA. Clarke had a heart for helping others. Everyone that knows Clarke has a story about how he helped them, and he loved every minute. Stories abound …
Clarke is survived by his wife, Gayle, of 65 years, his children Marty Mercer (Karen), Katy Abernathy (Phil), Carol Capers, Mitchell Mercer (Elise) and Flo Markland (Kyle); grandchildren Mary Hammond Mercer (Danielle), MC Mercer (Amanda), Milly Mercer, Catherine Abernathy, Katy Capers, William Capers, (Megan), Sam Mercer, Elise Mercer, Charles Mercer, Mackenzie Markland and Andrew Markland.
A small funeral service will be held at 12:00 P.M. Saturday June 4th at the Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home and a visitation will be held at 11:30 A.M. until the funeral hour. (230 S. College St. Cedartown, GA 30125) and a celebration of life will be scheduled later this year.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fannin Literacy Action Group (61 Overview Dr, Blue Ridge, GA 30513) or the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club (124 Jones St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513).
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Martyn Mercer.
