Curtis H. Martin Sr., 86, a native of Martinsville, Va., a longtime resident of Pensacola, Fla., and more recently a resident of Robertsdale, died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 at his family residence.
At the age of 18, he was awarded the honorary degree of American Farmer by the Future Farmers of America, one of only 116 young men out of 207,000 members to be honored with this degree in 1939.
He was a veteran of World War II, where he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps, 362nd Fighter Group, 377th Fighter Squadron in the European Theater.
After returning to the United States, he worked for DuPont Chemical Company in Martinsville before accepting a position with Chemstrand Chemical in 1952 and relocating to Pensacola.
He retired from Monsanto in 1982 and devoted his remaining years to a number of passions, his family, a lifelong love of golf, his church and the Republican Party. In addition to these interests, he was a longtime supporter of the Gideon’s, the Heritage Foundation and the American Legion.
He was a founding member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Pensacola and a longtime member of Robertsdale United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his loving wife, Virginia Martin; five sons, Curtis H. Martin Jr. of Alpharetta, Ga., Joseph E. Martin of Houston, John R. Martin of Pace, Fla., Robert A. Martin of Valdosta, Ga., and Curtis Leland Hastings of St. Louis; two step-daughters, Cheryl Rhodes of Foley and Melanie Hehman of Robertsdale; sister, Ann Mengers of Ocala, Fla.; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31 at Mack Funeral Home in Robertsdale. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 at Robertsdale United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens in Fairhope.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Robertsdale United Methodist Church Capital Funds Campaign.
