Larry Martin

Larry was born to Joseph L. and Ann Laura Martin on a cold Christmas Eve morning, December 24th, 1922, in Tyler, Texas. It was a very difficult home birth on him, 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. entry 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 Elizbeth, with 32,000 soldiers, and made the trip in 6 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, assigned to a Sea Plane Tender, the U.S.S. St. George (AV16), he saw action at Kerama Rhetta, and Okinawa.
Upon 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) on June 2, 1949.
On retirement in Alpine in 1981 he enjoyed many varied pastimes. 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 all the 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), his daughter Laura Decker and husband R.G. (of Alpine). His grandchildren include Bill Palmer (El Dorado Hills, California), Susan Reyna (Mary Esther, Florida), Leann Sanchez (Seminole, Texas), Julie Elliott-Cramer (Alpine), Jennifer Shelton (Garland, Texas), John Decker (Bourne, Texas) and Jacob Decker (Mesquite, Texas). He has 13 beautiful great-grandchildren who include Ashleigh Reyna, Katie Reyna, Brandee Reyna, 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 departed this life on the morning of July 14, 2017, age 94. The memorial will be held July 22, 2017 at Alpine Memorial Funeral Home, Geeslin Chapel.

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