(January 16, 1932 - October 15, 2011)
Salt Lake City, UT - died on October 15th 2011 at the age of 79 after complications arising from his valiant struggle against CLL. He is survived by his 2 Sons and Daughter Scott W Martin, Gregory C Martin and DeNae G Crane and his 10 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren.
In the First Chapter of his life he was born in Houston Mississippi January 16th 1932 the second Son born to Thomas Felix and Nellie Effie Martin. Felix who worked as a Sharecropper and even though economic times were hard on the family he and his wife taught their Sons many valuable life lessons by example and deed. Carl learned early in life what hard work meant and he was taught that no matter what station of life you are born into if you believed in the American Dream, hard work, honesty and act with integrity you could achieve anything you wanted in America.In the Second Chapter Carl was a bright intelligent young man with a keen spirit and his eyes were focused on success. After Graduating in 1950 from E.E. Bass Senior High School Greenville, MS he joined the US Army where he quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant in the 108th Airborne Infantry “the Golden Griffons” as a Paramedic. After his discharge from the Army he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Hill Air Force Base that’s where he met our Mother Donna Peterson Martin the “love of his life.” While he was stationed at Ladd AFB in Alaska as a SF Sergeant he was honored as Airman of the Year in 1955 and received 2 Good Conduct Medals and Oaks Leaf Clusters before being honorably discharged.
During the Third Chapter of his life Carl graduated from Delta State College in 1962 and after receiving his Top Secret Government Clearance he helped form a group at Thiokol that designed, built and implemented the Minuteman Missile Defense project across America. He was never satisfied by working for others so in 1972 he decided to take his entrepreneurial talents and skills and go into business for himself which is what he did until the last chapter of his life. He was a great Father that always taught his family many lessons. The most valuable was unconditional love.
In the last chapter of his story Carl appreciated the love, devotion and support of his son Scott, Grandson Jared, Granddaughter Sunny and their Father Ben Gallegos for stepping up in his time of need. Their commitment to him proved that the valuable life lessons taught by his father will continue to be passed down through the current and on going generations of this remarkable family. Carl exemplified what hard work, honesty and integrity could create throughout his life and he achieved the American Dream of being successful in business and in his personal life but more importantly he showed his family how to achieve the true American Dream through love, honor and respect.
You are missed my Father, you were my Hero and I am Honored to be your Son and to be a part of our contribution to the making or our Great American Heritage. Dr. Scott W Martin
Military Burial with Honors.
October 25th 2011 - 1:00pm Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park - 17111 South Camp Williams Road - Bluffdale, Utah 84065
