David Grier “D.G.” Martin, Jr. – a lawyer, UNC System administrator and veteran turned longtime author, book reviewer and show host – died on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at his home in Chapel Hill after a battle with melanoma. He was 85 years old.
The Martin family confirmed the news to Chapelboro following an announcement by the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club, in which Martin was a member and contributor. He is survived by his wife, Harriet, two children – David Grier Martin III and May Martin Bryan – and several grandchildren.
Martin’s story began in Atlanta, where he was born, but it did not take long for him to get to the state of North Carolina, which came to mean so much to him. The son of Davidson College President David Grier Martin, D.G. grew up in the Charlotte area before attending the school and playing basketball for the Wildcats. After serving as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army and graduating from Yale Law School, he returned to live in Charlotte to practice law. Martin was long connected in political circles, with two congressional campaigns in the 1980s where he fell short of being elected in the general rounds and another in 1998 where he lost the Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat. Despite those losses, he built a reputation for shaping the state through his time with the UNC System. D.G. served as the secretary of the university beginning in 1987 and eventually became its vice president for public affairs, working closely with decision-makers in the North Carolina legislature and the UNC System’s Board of Governors.
Martin’s time as the host of “North Carolina Bookwatch,” since the series’ third season beginning in 1999 and until its conclusion in 2021 introduced him to countless North Carolinians on UNC-TV, and his “One on One” column – posted “every week without fail since 1985” and published in papers across the Old North State – shared his thoughts and musings with many. Both series blended Martin’s curiosity for North Carolina history, state and national politics, and observations of daily life to share thoughtful perspectives with his dedicated readers.
He also earned acclaim for his 2016 book “North Carolina’s Roadside Eateries: A Traveler’s Guide to Local Restaurants, Diners, and Barbecue Joints” – which was so popular, he published an expanded and revised edition in 2024. His fondness for diners and local fare was well-known, and Martin never missed an opportunity to extoll the virtues of his favorite spots across the South.
D.G. Martin was a regular presence on 97.9 The Hill WCHL, hosting “Who’s Talking” alongside his written work published on Chapelboro.com. From 2002 onward, his voice was a frequent feature on air and many famous personalities shared the studio with him over decades of broadcasting. Figures like Lefty Driesell (his college basketball coach at Davidson), Bill Friday, James Moeser, former basketball stars, professors and more felt entirely at home chatting with, and alongside, Martin. During each recording at the radio station, he always brightened the room with his smile and stories.
“For more than two decades, D.G. Martin was a cherished contributor and friend to WCHL and Chapelboro,” said Chapel Hill Media Group General Manager Aubrey Williams. “His insight, warmth, and dedication to storytelling enriched our community in immeasurable ways. We are honored to have shared so many years of partnership with D.G., and we join the Chapel Hill community in grieving his loss and celebrating his remarkable legacy.”
A public celebration of life for Martin is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. at the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill.
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