Dr. Frederick “Rick” Watson Martin, age 73, of Carrollton, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Rick was born on August 18, 1952, in Carrollton, Georgia, to the late Thomas Watson and Lois (née Culver) Martin. A graduate of Carrollton High School, Rick went on to attend West Georgia College and the Medical College of Georgia, where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1977. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham under the late Charles E. Flowers, who was his longtime mentor and friend.

Rick, affectionately known as ‘Dr. Rick’, returned to Carrollton in 1981 to practice OB/GYN, where he later founded West GA OB/GYN in 1982. He served the community as a physician for 36 years before retiring in 2017. He was often asked how many babies he delivered and was always quick to reply with a smile, ‘I lost count after 5,000’.

Rick couldn’t go out in Carrollton without seeing someone he knew or running into someone who knew him; not even at Wal-Mart after midnight on a weekday. Rick never met a stranger. He excelled at connecting with others and could always find something in common with anyone, no matter who they were or where they came from. He would walk away from a random encounter with a person’s whole backstory, their phone number, and a new friendship. Rick treated every patient with the same dignity, compassion, and professionalism, no matter where they came from.

Rick was a boy scout into his teen years, involved in the Kiwana’s Club in high school and was president of Kiwana’s as an adult. He served on numerous committees at his home church, Carrollton First Methodist. Rick valued education and was chairman of ‘A Day for West Georgia’ for several years. Rick loved his community of Carrollton fiercely, was deeply generous, and helped others in private as much as he did in public.

Rick had an infectious grin and humourous disposition. He was charming and happy-go-lucky and no one could tell a story quite like Rick. He was larger than life and loved a good joke and to play a good prank. He loved to laugh and make others laugh, and he had one-liners ready for every situation. He was always up for a good time and life was never boring when he was around.

Rick loved music and was determined to educate his children on the subject by randomly asking them ‘who sings this?’ And he always knew the answer. He was obsessed with his dogs, Dooley, Charlie, Jake, Doc, Max, and Gus, who preceded him in death. When he wasn’t delivering babies, he loved being at the lake, hiking, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family, and he valued his sobriety of 33 years.

Rick was a devoted friend, physician, husband, and father. He is survived by his wife Denise, his children Jennifer (David) Fairchild, Robin (Kyle) Olson, Benjamin (Samantha Puvanesarajah) Martin, Russ (Roseanna) Martin, his stepchildren Samantha (Christopher) Simonton, Chip Murrah, and Ally Murrah, and grandchildren, Grace and Grant Olson, Hank and Walker Martin, Luke and Theodore Simonton, and Lincoln Martin. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by several half siblings.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff at the Birches on Maple Street and Agape Hospice for caring for Rick so well. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Frederick W. Martin Scholarship at the University of West Georgia (1601 Maple St., Carrollton, GA 30118), First Methodist Church of Carrollton (206 Newnan St., Carrollton, GA 30117), or the Alzheimer’s Association.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 1pm at Carrollton First Methodist Church with a reception following in the fellowship hall. Honorary pallbearers will be current and former nurses and staff of West GA OB/GYN and labor and delivery.

A private family burial was held at the Carrollton City Cemetery.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.