Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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December 11, 2009

Mr. Douglas M. Martin

HONAKER, Va. — Mr. Douglas M. Martin, age 79, of Honaker, Va., passed away Thursday (December 10, 2009) at his home surrounded by his family. Born February 9, 1930 in Richlands, Va., he was a son of the late Ezra H. and Inez Chapman Martin. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1947, where he served until 1970. He served in many varied commands, Commander River Squadron Eleven in Vietnam and retired as Operations Chief at Shore Patrol Headquarters, Key West, Fla. in March 1970. During his twenty-three years active duty, he received multiple commendation awards including Good Conduct Award (five awards), National Defense Service Medal (1 bronze star), Navy Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal (Cuba), Antartica Service Medal (1 bronze star), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. He then went to work for the Merchant Marines from 1970 until 1996. After his retirement, he continued his life of engineering and tinkering for many neighbors, friends, and family. He loved riding his tractor on his farm or fixing the unfixables in his shop.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, William Martin; and one sister, Betty Martin Woods.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-eight years, Alma J. Honaker Martin of the home; four daughters, Sharon McDonald and husband, Blain of Key West, Fla., Deborah Fry and husband, Gregory of Honaker, Dena Crabtree and husband, Paul of Virginia Beach, Va., and Linda McGlothlin and husband, Keith of Honaker; two sons, Randal Martin and Gary Martin and wife, Vanessa, all of Honaker; grandchildren, Stephenie Dye and husband, Tim of Rosedale, Todd Fry and wife, Rachelle, Bryan McGlothlin and wife, Amanda, Jennifer Miller, Selena Geary and husband, Heath, Chance Dye, Kala McGlothlin, Miranda Martin, Evan Dye, Andrew Dye, Rebecca Martin, and Morgan McGlothlin, all of Honaker, Kimberly Jessee and husband, Marcus and Stephen Martin, all of Lebanon, Nicole Boggs and husband, Dennis and Tracy Tucker and husband, Eric, all of Virginia Beach, Cory Crabtree and fiancée, Megan of Chesapeake, and Danielle Hayes and husband, Nathan of Swords Creek; seventeen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and special buddies also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday at the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Va. with Pastor Larry Brooks and Pastor Chris Musick officiating. Entombment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon, Va.

Military graveside honors will be conducted by American Veteran Honor Guard of Richlands, Virginia and DAV Chapter 31 of Tazewell County.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, National Lupus Foundation, or the church of your choice.

Pallbearers will be Todd Fry, Bryan McGlothlin, Cory Crabtree, Stephen Martin, Morgan McGlothlin, Dennis Boggs, Eric Tucker, Tim Dye, and Marcus Jessee.

Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Brown, Jim McGlothlin, Clarence Tex Hurt, Leroy Durance, and Jim Taylor.

Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6:00 p.m. Sunday.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

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