Alvin Edward Martin

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Alvin Edward Martin, 86, of Qulin, Mo., entered Heaven’s gates Friday, July 5, 2019 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.

Alvin, the son of the late Warren and Francis Dodds Martin, was born March 26, 1933 in Visalia, Calif. He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist faith. Alvin proudly served his country in the US Air Force during the Korean War, and retired as a truck driver for Champion and Ozark Trucking Lines. He enjoyed watching Cardinal’s baseball and working crossword puzzles. The times he treasured most were times spent with his family.

He married the love of his life Dollie Decker on April 13, 1957, in Grants Pass, Oregon. She survives.

Other survivors include two children Steven E. (Amanda) Martin and Diane (Bill) Pierce of Poplar Bluff; six grandchildren, Christopher Martin, Steven Martin, Stephanie Martin, Shelly Martin, Beth Clack and Jessica Pierce; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and his sister,Verna Lee Hamilton of Portland, Oregon.

Grandpa moved on to the next step of his life on July 5, 2019 at 86 years of age. He was a Seventh Day Adventist and the next step is being unconscious until the first coming, so I imagine that he is resting in his recliner on a cloud somewhere; which is wholly appropriate as this was his general state in his later years. Resting alongside him would be his dad, Warren, and mom, Francis. I have a really hard time seeing my great grandmother doing any resting though, I met her in her latter years and she had the energy of a teenager, I digress.

Grandpa lived a life prior to the recliner though; adventurous in his youth he was turned loose in the mountainous terrain of California, one time discussing dangling from a side of one those mountains. He also mentioned removing a sign of a local business in his youth, only to turn around with law enforcement motioning for him to put it back; hope your mom and dad knew about that, sorry if I let the cat out of the bag. Grandpa made it through his youth with his life and no prior arrests, thankfully, so he then decided to join the military.

Grandpa enlisted July 1, 1952 into the United States Air Force at age 19, serving during the Korean War at Wheelus Air Force Base located in Libya. Grandpa was an Airman First Class, and was an airplane mechanic, specifically working on the B-29 Superfortess, with the roar of the four props firing up being one of his regular recollections. Grandpa discharged from the Air Force on November 26th, 1955 due to a service related injury. He was proud of his service to our country, and had so many stories from this time that they would be ill-served by brief mention here.

After coming back home Grandpa found grandma Dollie working at a local A&W, he says he loved her from the first time he saw her; Grandma reported she was not interested, one time climbing a tree upon seeing his vehicle heading in her general direction. Grandpa didn’t give up though, and they got married on April 13, 1957, they were married for 62 years, having two children, Diane and Steve, whom survive him. I am not going to list all of us that survive him, but I will say he lived to be around his grandkids, great-grand kids, and great-great grandkids and he never seemed to be bothered by us at any time and we could be pretty annoying; he loved us all.

Ultimately, time catches up with all of us. Grandpa was always there, willing to give his time and any other resource he had to offer for his family. He made mistakes, he was a man, but perfection is not for this world; however, he will always be one of the beautifulness souls I have had the honor to know, and I believe I can say we are all thankful for the time we have had with you. We will see you later Grandpa.

A graveside service with full military honors will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with Rev. Greg Hamilton officiating.

Cotrell Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Alvin E. Martin; online condolences at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.

Paid