Memorials › Larry Alma Martin
Larry Alma Martin
24 Dec 1922 – 14 Jul 2017
| Birth | 24 Dec 1922 |
| Death | 14 Jul 2017 |
| Cemetery | Hillcrest Cemetery Fort Davis , Jeff Davis County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | Laura Decker on 08 May 2019 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198969889 |
Bio
Larry A Martin was born December 24, 1922 in Tyler, Texas to Joseph Lindford and Anna Laura Martin. He married Goldie G. Williams Bowen on June 2, 1949. They had one child together, Laura Ann Martin. Larry worked for 30 years as an airline mechanic for Texas International Airways. They successfully raised 3 children, Jim Bowen, Reba Bowen and Laura Martin. Larry was deeply loved by all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The Alpine Alvalanche Larry was born to Joseph L. and Anna Laura Martin on a cold Christmas Eve morning, Dec. 24, 1922, in Tyler, Texas. It was a very difficult home birth, and it was his mother's first, as he weighed in at twelve and a half pounds. He graduated from Reagan High School in Houston, Texas, and went directly to Kelly Field, San Antonio, in the Civil Service. After the U.S. entered into the war, the Civil Service asked for volunteers, and he volunteered for a company of civilian aircraft engine mechanics to go immediately to England to help keep the American aircraft they already had on lend lease flying. His group was lucky going to England. They were sent over in the Queen Elizabeth with 32,000 soldiers, and made the trip in six days. They had officers grade quarters, that is, 36 of them were assigned a bridal suite consisting of one bedroom and a private bathroom. This was much better than the soldiers, who had one bunk for every two men. When the need for the men was over, he returned via an empty Queen Mary to Kelly Field at San Antonio, Texas. There he volunteered for the Navy, was assigned to a sea plane tender, the USS St. George, and he saw action at Kerama Rhetta and Okinawa. Upon his release from the Navy, he returned to the Civil Service, briefly, before enrolling in the University of Houston program to receive his Aircraft and Engine Mechanics Certificate. He then went to work for Trans Texas Airways, later Texas International Airlines, where he spent 32 years before his early retirement in 1981. His first assignment with Trans Texas was in Marfa, Texas, and he fell in love with West Texas and met the love of his life and married Goldie G. Williams, the daughter of Bill and Reba Carlton of Alpine, Texas, on June 2, 1949. On retirement to Alpine in 1981 he enjoyed many varied past times. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion, a life member of the Alpine Gun Club, he dabbled in genealogy, and he tripled the size of his retirement home. When personal computers came out, he was hooked, and kept in communication with family and friends via email. Larry was predeceased by his wife, Goldie Martin, and his daughter, Reba Gill. He is survived by his son, Jim Bowen and wife Alex of Alpine, and his daughter Laura Decker and husband R.G. of Alpine. His grandchildren include Bill Palmer of El Dorado Hills, California; Susan Reyna of Mary Esther, Florida; Leann Sanchez of Seminole, Texas; Julie Elliott-Cramer of Alpine; Jennifer Shelton of Garland, Texas; John Decker of Boerne, Texas; and Jacob Decker of Mesquite, Texas. He has 13 beautiful great-grandchildren who include Ashleigh Reyna, Katie Reyna, Brandee Reyna, Aiden Elliott, Maximus Cramer, Victoria Shelton, Isabella Shelton, Brandon Shelton, Jr., Logan Decker, Landon Decker, Lincoln Decker, Haylee Decker and Drake Decker. He will be remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Larry, 94, departed this life on the morning of July 14, 2017. The memorial will be held July 22, 2017 at the Geeslin Chapel at Alpine Memorial Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Online condolence may be made at alpinememorialfuneralhome.com.
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