Martin, Jr, Col. E. Graham

Emmor Graham Martin Jr., COL USAR RET.

An Episcopal Celebration of Life will be held at 1p.m. on Saturday April 11, 2015 at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 760 FM 120, Pottsboro, TX 75076.   A reception will follow.  

A Committal Service  with Full Military Honors  will be at 1 p.m. on Monday April 13, 2015 at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.

Col. Martin was born on September 2, 1926 in Ft. Adams, RI, to Lt. Col Emmor Graham Martin, SR. and Anne Harrington Martin.

He graduated from Allen Military Academy in 1944; entered military service as a private in the U.S. Infantry, 1945; discharged in 1946 as a corporal.  Entered Texas A&M (Go AGGIES!) in 1947 and graduated in 1951 with a commission of 2nd lieutenant in the USAR.  Was called to active duty in September 1951 and

assigned to USA Europe.  Upon completion of three-year tour, he was  released from active duty and employed in the Dallas Independent  School District as a commandant of cadets at North Dallas High School. He also worked at Bryan Adams High School.

Recalled to duty in 1961 during the Berlin crisis with the 49th Armd. Div. Subsequent service was as troop commander, 2nd Sqdn. Of the  10th Cav., 7th Inf. Div. and a HQ Commandant; assistant S-3 at Ft. Stewart, GA and battalion executive officer at Hunter Army Airfield.  He was released from active duty in July 1968 and reverted to the USAR.   Assignments were as mobilization assignee to 3rd USA HQ and Forces Command at Ft. McPherson, GA; a C&GS instructor, Macon USAR School, Macon, GA; director of Plans and  Training, Ft. Riley, KS (ModDes); commander of COSCOM (RTU), Dallas, TX.

He received his master’s degree in educational administration from Southern Methodist University.  Military education also includes the QM Officers Basic Officers Course, the EUCOM Intelligence School, the Armor Officers Associate Officers  Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the National Defense University Reserve Components National Security Course.

Retired from USAR in 1984 as Colonel and retired from AUS in 1986.  Also retired from Dallas Independent School District as a senior Army instructor in the ROTC program.  Decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, Army  Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, European Army of Occupation Medal, National > Defense Service Medal with OLC, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Hour Glass attachments, Army Reserve Forces Achievement Medal,  Commanders Award for Public Service, and Texas Service Medal of U.S. Armed Forces.

In addition to his career accomplishments, he will be remembered for many other reasons.  Col. Martin was a life member of the Texas Society of SAR and served as State President. He was also a member of  the Retired Officers Association, Reserve Officers Association for 39 years, Texas Society of Colonial Wars. Military Order of World Wars, and Roger Williams Family Association.

His family will remember his kind (if not sly) smile.  He also had a passion for sports: particularly golf, both playing and watching (on MUTE), and baseball (Go Rangers!).

He married Gloria Mae Dyer on Sept. 3^rd, 1948 in Dallas, TX.  They had two daughters, Cyndy and Ceilia.  His career took their family all over the country (and world- Ceilia was born in Germany), and they finally settled in Dallas, TX.

After retirement they moved to HideAWay lake near Tyler, TX.   They enjoyed 59 years together before Gloria’s passing in 2007.

After living on his own for a while Col. Martin met Joy Kirschner.  The two were married in a ceremony in Hawaii.  They moved to Sherman, TX and shared many travels and other  wonderful times  before Col. Martin was no longer able to live at home without additional care.

It was then he moved to Clyde W. Cosper Veterans Home and happily spent his final days with other  veterans, notably his good friend Vinson. There he also enjoyed watching the birds flock to the bird feeder lovingly placed just outside of his window.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 59 years, Gloria; sister, Anne Montgomery; and brother, Theodore Martin.

He is survived by his wife of 7 years, Joy Vian Martin, of Sherman, TX; daughters, Cynthia Martin, of

Mesquite, TX and Ceilia Smith and her husband Robert,  of Dallas, TX; granddaughters: Samantha Watt and Emory Smith, of Dallas, TX; brother, Ernest  H. Martin and his wife, Beverly of Van Alstyne, TX; sister-in-law, Lila Martin, of Dallas, TX; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends.

The family would like to thank the exceptional care team at Clyde W. Cosper Veterans Home for their compassion and excellent care of Col. Martin.

Arrangements are under the direction of:
Samantha Watt, Funeral Director 
ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home
10116 E. Northwest Highway
Dallas, TX 75238
214-340-8008