(The Center Square) – D.G. Martin, longtime voice for millions of North Carolinians through columns, interviews and leadership roles at the University of North Carolina System, died Tuesday.
He was 85. The cause of death was melanoma.
Son of Davidson College president David Grier Martin, the Atlanta native’s roots were in Charlotte. He was a Green Beret in the Army, graduate of Yale Law School, and twice a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1980s and once in 1998 for the U.S. Senate.
Generations from Murphy to Manteo were more familiar with dozens of newspapers and broadcast outlets picking up his work. “North Carolina Bookwatch” was on public television from 1999 to 2021, and a newspaper opinion column had run every week since 1985. His 2016 book, “North Carolina’s Roadside Eateries: A Traveler’s Guide to Local Restaurants, Diners and Barbecue Joints,” has been an expanded and revised since because of overwhelming popularity.
The list visiting his “Who’s Talking” studio show included his college basketball coach at Davidson, Lefty Driesell, Bill Friday, James Moeser and a long list of who’s who to North Carolinians.
In the UNC System, he was vice president of public affairs for many years. He also held leadership positions at North Carolina Central University, UNC Pembroke, The Trust for Public Land, and the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
Martin’s civic engagement included the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club, and running marathons.
Martin is survived by his wife, Harriett; children David Grier Martin III and May Martin Bryan; and several grandchildren. Grier Martin is a former state lawmaker.
