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Conway, SC........Mayor Gregory K. Greg Martin, age 51, of Elm Street, Conway, died Saturday, September 13, 2008 at his mountain house in North Carolina. He was born in Conway, a son of Julia Johnson Martin Land and the late George Henry Martin, Sr. Mr. Martin was a 1975 graduate of Conway High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He then attended Clemson University and was a 1979 graduate. While he was a student at Clemson, he pledged Sigma Nu Fraternity and was involved in several campus organizations. After graduation, he was appointed to Clemson's Young Alumni National Council and was a United States Senate Intern. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law where he was inducted into Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. Upon graduation from law school, he returned to Conway and served as Law Clerk to the late Judge Sidney T. Floyd. In 1983, Mr. Martin began private practice focusing on real estate law, probate law and business law. He was an agent for Old Republic Title Insurance receiving that company's Circle of Excellence Award as a top South Carolina Agent many times. During his career, he was a member of the Horry County Bar, the South Carolina Bar, and the American Bar Associations. In 1990, Mr. Martin was elected to Conway City Council. Prior to his election, his city service included the Conway Planning Commission 1986-1989, Chairman of the Planning Commission 1989, Conway Board of Appeals 1987-1989 Conway Board of Appeals 1987-1989, and the Horry County Board of Architectural Review. He served as Mayor Pro Tempore in 1994. Later in 1994, he was elected to the first of four terms serving as Mayor of the City of Conway. He was Conway's second longest serving mayor. He served two terms as Chairman of the Horry County League of Cities. Under his leadership the city developed the Conway Riverfront, Mill Pond Road, re-vitalized downtown Conway, and enhanced the city's parks. He fought for historic preservation and worked to develop Neighborhood Associations throughout the city. Mr. Martin was involved in many community activities including service as Chairman of the Conway Planning Commission, President of the Horry County Historical Society, and Chairman of Conway Main Street USA Board of Directors. He also served on the Peedee Heritage Foundation Board and the Sandlapper Society Advisory Board. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Council on Ministries, Church Historian, and member of the Chancel Choir. Mr. Martin was the recipient of numerous honors and awards including Outstanding Young Man of America, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Law, Lifetime Achievement Award from Conway Main Street USA, the Distinguished Public Service Award by the SC Downtown Development Association. In addition he was the recipient of the SC Preservation Award from the Palmetto Trust for Historical Preservation and the Preservation Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 2004, he was named Outstanding Conway High School Alumnus of the Year and was inducted into its Hall of Fame. Mr. Martin was predeceased by his grandmother, Mary Tuton Martin. Surviving in addition to his mother, Julia Johnson Martin Land, of Conway, are his Step-Father, Benjamin S. Land, a brother, George H. Martin, Jr., and his wife, Maryanne, a sister, Tamra Martin Steiner, two nephews, Scott James Steiner, Jr. and George Henry Martin, III, and two nieces, Anne Marie Martin and Emily Ann Steiner, all of Conway. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mac Kinnett officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery directed by Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel. Mayor Martin will lie in state at Conway City Hall Council Chambers, 1001 Third Avenue, Conway from noon until 8:00 pm Tuesday. Citizens are invited to come anyti

Tributes

Gregory Keith Martin

September 14, 2008