Albert Lee "Al" Martin, Jr., 85, of Jefferson, Arkansas, formerly of Amarillo, Texas died January 18, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mr. Martin was born June 27, 1925 in Beckham County, Erick, Oklahoma, to Albert Martin, Sr.and Maudie Davis Martin. He was one of six children. He attended school at Erick, Oklahoma. He was a World War II Veteran, one of the Greatest Generations, serving from September 15, 1943 to April 15, 1946. He served in the Pacific Area, 6th Division at New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, and the invasion of Okinawa. After the island was secured, he went on to Guam, then to Tokyo, Japan. He was there during the signing of the unconditional Surrender of Japan by General Douglas MacArthur; then was stationed at Yokusko, Japan for 3 t 6 months, then volunteered to be one of the4th Division to go to Shang Hi, China to return the 4th Marines Colors (U.S. Flag). He was then stationed in Sigtow, China and after two months was shipped to San Diego, California in the United States of America for an Honorable Discharge on April 15, 1946.

He was a member of Redfield Missionary Baptist Church, joining the First Baptist Church in Erick, Oklahoma when he was twelve years of age, accepting Christ as his Savior. A former member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and Coulter Road Baptist Church, both of Amarillo, Texas.

He married Eurma V. Merrell on October 12, 1947 in the First Baptist Church, Erick, Oklahoma. They lived in Borger, Texas for four years where he worked for Phillips Petroleum Co., Philback Division. They moved to Amarillo, Texas where he went to Barber School. After finishing school, he bought Forrest Hill Barber Shop on North Grand Avenue and worked for fifteen years as owner and barber. After he sold the shop, he worked for the Civil Service, at the Helium Company on the Dumas, Texas Highway. After the company closed, he transferred to the Lake Meredith National Park Service, Fritch, Texas. He retired in June, 1984. Eurma and Al celebrated their fifty years of marriage on October 12, 1997 at Palo Dura Masonic Lodge Building, Dining Hall, Amarillo, Texas with family and friends.

He and Eurma moved to Jefferson, Arkansas on August 23, 2004. They have been married sixty three years on October 12, 2010.

He belongs to the American Legion Post 0343, Redfield, Arkansas and he was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Mr. Martin was a very active member of the Masonic Lodge during his adult life. He became a Mason in 1965. He was Worshipful Master of Billy Dixon Masonic Lodge # 1365 in Fritch, Texas. He became an Endowed Member of Palo Dura Masonic Lodge #1239 in 1995. He is also an Endowed Member of Phoenix Masonic Lodge #275 in Weatherford, Texas. He became an Endowed Member of Amarillo Chapter No. 787, Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Texas in 1995. He was a former member of Union Chapter No. 40 Order of Eastern Star, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Grand Chapter of Arkansas, which he joined in 2005.

Mr. Martin was a very active member of the Shriners of North America. He was formerly a member of Khiva Temple, Amarillo, Texas which he joined in 1966, and a former member of the Scimitar Shrine Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, joining there in 2005.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Maude Martin, two brothers, Clifton and Carl Martin; Two sisters, Janet Caskey and Shirley Gibson; One Grand-daughter, Beth Nicole "Nicki" Tucker.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Eurma Martin, a son, Albert Lee Martin III of Fort Worth, Texas, a daughter, Kathleen Martin Tucker-Rawls and husband Roy A. Rawls of Jefferson, Arkansas; a sister, Beverly Wilhelm of Erick, Oklahoma. Three Grandchildren, Chris Martin, Amanda Townly of Fort Worth, Texas; Kimberly Tucker McMillan of Jefferson, Arkansas; Eight Great-grand-children, Fantasia Shields, Seth Martin, Sierra Townly, Lillie Martin and Journey Martin all of Fort Worth, Texas, Haylee Tucker, Destiny Tadlock and Alec Wade Tucker all of Jefferson, Arkansas, also, many friends and other family members across the country. He was dearly loved and will be missed by all.

The family suggests memorials to the Redfield Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 25, Redfield, Arkansas or Khiva Shriners, 305 East 5th Avenue, Amarillo, Texas 79101, or Amarillo Chapter No. 787, Order of the Eastern Star, 3701 S. Polk Street, Amarillo, Texas 79102.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 22, 2011 at Redfield Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Micah Deaton and Bro. Larry Mealer officiating. Music for his service will be provided by Buddy and Barbara Nichols, Judy Clark and Sheri Deaton. Burial will be in Jones Cemetery off Highway 46, on Grant 75, Sheridan, Arkansas with Military Honors and Masonic Rites. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Delbert Rinehart, Ron Gana, Charles Derby, Danny Dial, Chris Liles and Buckley McDuffee. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Rawls and David Rawls.