‘He was the dad of our school community.’ Muscogee County teacher dies at 59
The principal called him “the dad of our school community.” That’s the kind of impact Martin Wilson made at Hardaway High School in Muscogee County.
Wilson, a science teacher and assistant coach for several sports during his 25 years at Hardaway, died Jan. 29, according to Progressive Funeral Home.
He was 59.
Hardaway principal Matt Bell told the L-E via email that Wilson was hospitalized for “acute pancreatitis and had complications from there.”
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday at Fourth Street Missionary Baptist in Columbus. Hardaway will conduct a memorial service that night in the school at 6 p.m.
“He was patient and kind,” Bell said. “He went above and beyond his role as a teacher. He not only taught science; he served as a father figure to a lot of students who walked through our halls. Mr. Wilson was known to teach kids how to tie a tie, fish, maintain their car and cook.”
Wilson had a similar connection with his colleagues.
“He baked cakes for them, helped them with projects around the house and was a true friend,” Bell said.
Wilson taught physics, environmental science and chemistry. He was an assistant coach for football, cross country, track and field and basketball. He also was a videographer for football and basketball.
“He had an uncanny ability to simplify everything,” Bell said. “He instilled confidence in his students.”
Muscogee County School Board member Mike Edmondson of District 2 taught at Hardaway and has fond memories of Wilson.
“He was a fine man and an equally fine teacher,” Edmondson told the L-E via email. “… His school family adored him and his biological family as well.”
