Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....MARTIN, J.H. "BUDDY" March 28, 2016 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: GINA BROWN rootsgirl36@gmail.com May 14, 2016, 12:27 am News Star World - April 03, 2016 J.H. "BUDDY" MARTIN Private funeral services for J. H. "Buddy Martin" were held Tuesday, March 29, 2016 in Delhi, LA, with the Rev.'s Paul Lipe and Chris Wright officiating. Immediately following the service, friends and family joined in a celebration of Mr. Martin's life at the Delhi Presbyterian Church (Green Room). Buddy was born on October 5, 1922, the youngest of three sons, to W. P. and Ella Mae Robinson Martin and went to be with our Lord on Monday, March 28, 2016, following a brief illness. He grew up in Franklin Parish where his love for the great outdoors was nurtured and would later prove to become his life's greatest passion. As a youngster, he was a member of the Delhi Methodist Church. He graduated from Central High School in 1939 and Louisiana Tech in 1943, with a B. A. degree in Journalism. Buddy served as sports editor on the Tech Talk Staff and was sports editor of the Lagniappe—the school's yearbook—his sophomore year. In 1941-42, he served as editor. He was also president of Theta XI fraternity and a member of Gamma Epsilon honorary scholastic fraternity. Buddy entered the military on October 31, 1944 and following 17 weeks of basic training at Camp Robert, CA, Martin was sent to Oregon State College in Cornwallis, for foreign area and language study in the Army Specialized Training Program, where he graduated in 1945. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant at Fort Benning, GA, and subsequently sailed for Japan, where he served in the Intelligence Department as 1st Lieutenant. He was stationed in Yokohama for one year, where he was in charge of the transporting of POW's to camps in the Philippines. He later was transferred to, and stationed in, the Philippines. In the fall of 1946, Buddy Martin came home, where he spent seven years in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in April of 1953—1st Lieutenant INF USAR. He met Betty Crane from Delhi and later married his bride of nearly 67 years, on May 26, 1947, in Rayville, LA. Later in life, they became members of the Delhi Presbyterian Church. Buddy worked for the Louisiana State Employment Service in 1948-49. Beginning in 1950, he was named Secretary of the Louisiana Angus Breeders Association and served in that capacity for five years. Simultaneously, he was named Secretary of the Northeast Louisiana Livestock Show and held that position for 10 years. In the fall of 1956, he built and began operation of radio station KMAR, in Winnsboro, a town of about 5,000 in Franklin Parish. At that time, he was also a well-known public speaker and commentator at local football and baseball games. It was during this time that Buddy was appointed Director of the Little League teams of the Fifth Congressional District. In 1967, due to his oldest brother's declining health, Buddy took over at the helm of Delhi Implement Company, the local John Deere dealership. He remained in that capacity until his retirement in 1993, at the age of 70. Buddy's retirement years were spent tending to his trees on his CRP land. This became his passion and occupied most of his spare time. In the final years of his life, he spent his time adding native grasses and a wildlife pond to further improve the land he so dearly loved. In 2013, he was selected for the Good Land Use Award for Environmental and Conservation Excellence. This presentation was made in Alexandria, LA, by the Louisiana Soil and Water Conservation Society. He loved deer hunting and successfully pursued this sport thru his 92nd year. The ethics he demonstrated in his love for the land and hunting, set a strong example for all his family to follow. Buddy was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He began listening to Cardinals Baseball early in life, when the broadcast came over KMOX radio station. He loved the Harry Caray broadcasts and Stan Musial was always his hero. Although he attended quite a few games in St. Louis, his favorite seat was always in his recliner in front of the television set. Through the advancement of technology and "The Cardinals Baseball Channel" he watched every game they played through the 2015 season. Buddy is preceded in death by his wife Betty, (whom he lovingly referred to as Bet), his parents and his brothers and their spouses. Survivors include his children, Mike (Judy) Martin and Greg Martin both of Delhi, LA, Kim (Bob) Martin Carson of Monroe, LA and Dean (Deborah) Martin of Nashville, TN. His grandchildren, Andy (Jennifer) Martin, Brad (Brooke) Martin, Erin (Brad) Martin Smith, Stan (Amanda) Martin, Judd (Kellie) Martin, Wade (Amye) Martin, Drew (Calley) Carson, McCaslin Carson, Ginger (Adam) Huffines and Travis ( Karena) Riggins. Great Grandchildren, Lauren, Parker, Abby, Nolan, Jase, Carson Smith, Landry Smith, Cayden, Anna Kate, Navey, Hunter, Trigger, Mason Martin, Knox Carson, Conley Smith, Macie Huffines, Madden Huffines, Morgan Huffines, Gunner Riggins, Cannan Riggins and soon to be born, Hank Martin. The family wishes to express a special thanks to Nancy Hebert, Tammi Miller, Tampa and Mary Cassels for their help with and caring for their daddy and grandfather, along with thanks to the staff of Richland Parish Hospital-Delhi, Deerfield Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Delhi Home Care and especially Monica Odom and staff of Crossroads Hospice. Any planned memorials may be made to (St. Louis) Cardinals Care, 700 Clark Street, St. Louis, MO 63102; the American Cancer Society or to the charity of donor's choice. To leave a message of condolence to the family please visit our website at www.coxfuneral.com. Cox Funeral Home Delhi, LA File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/ouachita/obits/m/martin5140nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/lafiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb