Richard H. Martin

Richard H. Martin, 84, died Sunday, January 20, 2019 in Abilene, Texas.

Born in Royal Oak, Michigan on November 27, 1934, Richard was the son of the late Frances Elizabeth Jones (Fetz) and Lee Alexis Martin.  He spent his early childhood years in New Orleans, LA and after the death of his father, his family moved to Oklahoma. He graduated from Tulsa Central High School and the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of the SAE Fraternity.

Richard served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years as a Navy pilot.  During his career, he flew off the USS Essex, USS Wasp, USS Coral Sea, and USS Constellation. His squadron was aboard the USS Nimitz during her maiden cruise while serving as the Commanding Officer of VAW-116.  The Navy took he and his family to Pensacola, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, Norfolk, VA, Alameda, CA and San Diego, CA where he retired.  He spent time working for General Dynamics as a Tomahawk Missile supervisor after his retirement.       

Richard married Donna Rae Baker on January 4, 1958 in Norman, Oklahoma.  He and Donna became members of Holy Family Catholic Church after moving to Abilene in 1998.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by a daughter, Leslie Stratton, and a brother, Lee “Buddy” Alexis Martin II. 

Survivors include this wife of 61 years, Donna Martin of Abilene; three daughters, Mary Clark and husband Jim of Abilene, Ann Pflugrath and husband Bill of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Betsy Pfeiffer and husband Thomas of Raton, New Mexico; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 26, at Holy Family Catholic Church with Father Fred Nawarskas officiating.  Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 28, in Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene.  Arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.    

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc., or a charity of your choice.