CentralKentuckyBikers

Remembering Cornelius Martin

Cornelius Martin had a habit of making the right decisions.

It's part of what allowed Martin to emerge from a large family in Greenville to become one of southwestern Kentucky's most prominent businessmen, building a small empire that included 15 auto dealers in six states -- including Hurricane Chevrolet and Saturn of Charleston/Huntington -- as well as a pair of Harley-Davidson shops and an aviation company.

Martin's work ethic and his mission to reach out to the community made him "an inspiration to employees and business associates," said friend Tim Maudlin.

And it's what made the news of Martin's death on Saturday so tough to take for those who knew him.

Martin, 57, and Alton B. "Brooks" Mitchell, 51, were killed after an oncoming truck crossed the center line and struck the motorcycles they were riding on Kentucky 79 in Logan County. A third rider, 61-year-old Charles Leachman, of Bowling Green, was transported to Vanderbilt Community Hospital following the crash.

The driver of the truck, Mickey L. Mosher, of Warsaw, Ind., was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter, assault, driving under the influence, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Martin's friends said it wasn't enough for him to be successful in the business world. He felt a need to give back to the community he adopted in the 1980s. His community service extended from establishing the Athena Award to recognize local businesswomen to organizing the Southern Kentucky Minority Economic Development Council.

Martin also became a driving force on the Western Kentucky University board of regents, where he served as chairman, spearheading the search committee that hired school president Gary Ransdell in 1997.

"He provided a lot of leadership for the committee," said Peggy Loafman, who served alongside Martin on the board for 10 years.
Ransdell said he considered Martin a friend and admired the way Martin understood the parameters of the job, never getting involved in the school's administrative issues.

"He was focused on policy and direction and progress of the university," Ransdell said. "I'm sure he ran his businesses the same."
Martin also set up scholarship fund at Western Kentucky, donated to a mentoring program for black students there and gave the school cars from one of his dealerships.

"(He) was one of those rare supporters who did something for every part of the campus," said Tom Hiles, the school's vice president of institutional advancement.

Like Martin, Mitchell grew into one of the region's most influential businessmen, serving as chairman on Bowling Green's Downtown Redevelopment Authority while also working as CEO of Hancock (County) Bank & Trust.
Friends said Mitchell, who used to work as a weatherman on WBKO-TV, channeled the charisma he used on television into the business world.

"I'll never forget the day I first met him," said Dorian Walker. "We were at our house on State Street, and he walked up and knocked on the door. He introduced himself and said, I want to be your banker."'

Tommy Smith, president of American Bank & Trust, had been invited to join Martin and Mitchell on Saturday, but declined.
"They will be missed," he said. "I can't imagine Bowling Green and Warren County without them."