Allen Martin Obituary

Allen R. Martin, Sr. JOHNS ISLAND - Entered into eternal rest on November 3, 2009, Allen R. Martin, Sr. 74, husband of Patricia Gayle Doyle Martin of Johns Island. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Allen R. Martin are invited to attend his Memorial Service at 11:00 AM Friday, November 6, 2009 at Stono Baptist Church, John's Island. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Mr. Martin was born in Walterboro, SC on March 30, 1935 a son of Allen Foy and Blanch Marie Nettles Martin. He retired in 1985 from the Air force as Assistant Chief of The Charleston Air Force Base Fire Department. His specialty was aircraft crash rescue. Mr. Martin began working at a very young age at various jobs and was even a successful jockey before entering the Air Force. He married Patricia Gayle Doyle about a year after entering the air force and the first child , Randy was born a year later. The second child, Vilinda, followed eight busy years later. He was sent overseas in the early days of the cold war and served in France before being transfer stateside where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant before transferring to civil service where he worked his way up to Assistant Station Chief. During his civil service career he also worked as a mechanic for a number of years, specializing in transmission repair. He took his skills with him enabling him to supervise the maintenance of vehicles and equipment of several construction related companies. Later he earned his CDL and hazardous materials permits so he could drive heavy trucks which he did until just months before his passing. Renowned for his work effort he often fulfilled a leadership role by his example. Mr. Martin, was universally respected by all who knew him. He was a Mason and a member of the Elks lodge. A devoted family man, he attended Stono Baptist Church, and had a passion for the outdoors. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was no stranger to the rivers and forests of South Carolina. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Patricia Gayle D. Martin, a son, Allen R. Martin, Jr. of Katy Texas, his wife Martha P. Martin, a daughter Vilinda Richter of North Augusta, SC and her husband Jon Scott Richter; four grandchildren, Aubrey Melissa Salonen Of Katy, Texas, and her husband Christopher Salonen, Allen R Martin, III also of Katy, Texas, Travis Richter of New Bern, NC and his wife Hannah Richter, and Trevor Richter of North Augusta, SC. and one great-grandson, Mayson Richter. He is also survived by two sisters, Naomi Ollic of Tamassee, SC and Lillian Kirby of James Island, SC and one brother Gene Martin of Savannah, Georgia. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in the name of Allen R Martin, Sr. to the Stono Baptist Church, 953 Main Road, Johns Island, SC 29455, 843-559-9743. A Condolence may be made to his Guest Book at www.charlestonfunerals.com Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER, INC. 1620 SAVANNAH HWY. 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths