Memorials › Murrell Eugene “Gene/Sonny” Martin
Murrell Eugene “Gene/Sonny” Martin
19 Sep 1934 – 17 May 2024
| Birth | 19 Sep 1934 |
| Death | 17 May 2024 |
| Cemetery | Van Alstyne Cemetery Van Alstyne , Grayson County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | Wayne Wallace on 21 May 2025 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/270457991 |
Bio
Murrell Eugene Martin (Gene) was called home on May 17, 2024 at the age of 89. He was born in Van Alstyne on September 19, 1934 to Pauline Kemp Martin and Jesse Ervin Martin. Known to family and friends as "Sonny" growing up, he attended elementary through high school graduating with the Van Alstyne Class of 1953. He enjoyed sports and music throughout his school years and spent his childhood helping his mother and dad on their farm. He and his family were members of the First Christian Church of Van Alstyne. Gene attended college at TCU before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 – 1962. During that time, he was an instructor at Sheppard Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas then assigned to aircraft squadrons in Japan as a flight engineer moving troops to different locations throughout the far east including Okinawa and Korea. He was also assigned to an evacuation squadron on C-54 aircraft in Tachikawa. This began a lifelong love of airplanes and flying. His early career started in various sales positions in the surgical supply industry. He traveled and lived in many areas of Texas including Sonora where he was the hospital administrator then returned to Van Alstyne as the Meadowbrook nursing home administrator. In the late 80's he and wife Danny purchased an office supply business in Longview quickly turning the historic Highway 80 building into a successful east Texas antique mall. For 24 years they curated a unique and welcoming space for their community, local business owners, as well as family and friends to enjoy gathering, sharing stories and history. He was a Colonel in the Commemorative Air Force – Lone Star Wing and participated in many airshows throughout Texas in his 1946 Ercoupe airplane enjoying a special love of flying and camaraderie with fellow members. He dedicated his time as a business owner and member of CAF to honor military history and veterans, creating space in his Greggton Antique Mall for preserving memorabilia from World War II. This space was dedicated as the "WWII Victory Museum" in 1993. Gene will especially be remembered for his beautiful singing voice performing at home, church, on the radio and other events throughout his early life in Van Alstyne and into adulthood. He loved to play his guitar and sing for family and friends. He was a sweet man who touched all he met. The last years of his life were spent at The Ivy of McKinney Memory Care. "Martin" loved his Ivy family and friends, and we are very thankful for all the staff there as well as the Sparrow Hospice staff. He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Danette Butler Martin and granddaughter Erika Tillett. He is survived by his sister Charlesene Hulsey and his children Debby Sanders, Randy Martin (wife Erica), Lori Tillett (husband Mike), Karin Sears (husband Brian), David Martin (wife Crisel) and stepson Jimmy Butler. He is also survived by his grandchildren Criss and Heather Martin, Jenni and John Bull, Jeremy Tillett, Megan and Michael Hodges, Jess and Ashlie Tillett, Kristen, Hannah and Ian Sears, Ashley Sanders, Sarah, David and Samuel Martin and Bryson Butler. He is fondly known as Paw Paw Martin to his 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Thursday, May 23,2024 at Scoggins Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Brian Layman, with the First Christian Church, of Van Alstyne, TX, officiating. Burial will follow at the Van Alstyne Cemetery. Jeremy Tillett, Jess Tillett, Michael Hodges, Ian Sears, David Martin and Samuel Martin will serve as Pallbearers. The family will receive friends one hour prior of service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Christian Church of Van
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