Carl Martin

Carl Richard Martin, after a rich and fulfilling life, passed away on March 8, 2025 at age 91. Born on February 25, 1934 to Carl and Cora Martin in Tampa, Florida, he traveled extensively, but made his home in Abilene, Texas.

Shortly after high school, he joined the United States Air Force, serving his country as a pilot. Before his retirement in 1973, he was stationed in bases across the United States, as well as Australia, Canada, Thailand, and Vietnam. Following his retirement and a brief stint as a commercial pilot, he was employed as the pilot for Wes-Tex Drilling Company for 31 years. He liked to say that he never had a real job.

Carl flew 56 different types of airplanes over 54 years and joked that he had an equal number of takeoffs and landings. Besides flying, his passions included music, fishing, and gardening.

Active in his community, Carl volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and West Texas Rehabilitation Center. He also served as a chaplain for Hendrick Hospital and the French Robertson Prison, participated in the KAIROS Prison Ministry for more than 20 years, and was a Hendrick Hospice volunteer for 30 years. He is a past President of Southwest Abilene Rotary Club. He was co-owner of Alneer's Picture Frames with his first wife Nell for 17 years.

He was preceded in death by Nell Cavness Martin in 1993, his wife of 40 years, his second wife Sandra Spangler Martin in 2018, to whom he was married for 23 years, and two sisters, Dorothea Johnson and Dianne Stevens.

He is survived by his children Carl (Christa), Somerville, Alabama; David (Carolyn), Fort Wayne, Indiana; Joyce Wascom (Jerry), Mesquite, Texas; Larry (Raeanne), Whitewright, Texas; Barbara, Nashville, Tennessee; Beverly, Houston, Texas; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life Social will be 2:00pm to 4:00pm Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Wesley Court 2617 Antilley Rd, Abilene, TX 79606.

Memorial Service will be 1:00pm Friday, March 14, 2025, at First Central Presbyterian Church 400 Orange St, Abilene, TX 79601; following a private committal service with military honors at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Arrangements are with The Hamil Family Funeral Home 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, TX 79606

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity in his memory.