Donald Wayne Martin

OBITUARY

Early Years

The eldest of four children, Donald Wayne Martin was born to Viola D. Martin and Virley Davis, Jr. (deceased) on January 21, 1952 in Smithville, Texas. He confessed Christ at the age of 12 and was baptized at the Dixie Hills First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He loved attending Sunday School.

He traveled the world as a 'military brat' at his mother's marriage to Percy MacMurray, (United States Army Retired.) 

He attended Mary A. Brown Elementary School- Smithville, Texas; Fort Stewart Junior High School- Hinesville, Georgia; The Anderson Park Junior High School- Atlanta, Georgia; Highland Park High School- Highland Park, Illinois; and Vicenza American High School- Vicenza, Italy, before graduating from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, Texas.

He was a popular student, gifted artist, and talented athlete – lettering and receiving honors in baseball, basketball, swimming, and track.  He received numerous college scholarship offers, but answered the call for military service as many of our family members had done, beginning with his grandfather's William Martin, Sr. service in WWI.

Military Service

Wayne's military career spanned two decades - with service in Fort Polk Louisiana, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Hood, Texas, The Panama Canal, Karlsruhe, Germany, Mainz, Germany, and Spangdahlem, Germany.  He earned the following awards and recognitions; National Defense Service Medal, Three Army Commendation Medals, Five Good Conduct Medals, Army Service Ribbon, Four Overseas Service Ribbons, Three NCO Professional Development Ribbons, and numerous letters of Appreciation and Commendations. He retired in 1991 earning the title of Sergeant First Class (SFC), Retired.

Post Military Service

Wayne moved to Tyler, Texas transferring his military skills to management positions at Wackenhut Security, The University of Texas Health Science Center, and then Tyler Pipe - where he was proud to have been the logistics supply manager for the re-bar and grid work for the construction of the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.  He was recognized by the City of Tyler, Texas for risking his own safety to save a small child from a burning vehicle after an automobile wreck.

He retired from Tyler Pipe in 2017. He was a car enthusiast and also loved gardening/landscaping, fishing, the Texas Rangers, the New Orleans Saints, pit barbecuing, and Church’s Chicken. He was proud of his military career and loved his children and grandchildren. He was a beloved father, son, brother, cousin, nephew, and friend to many.

All of his life he never met a stranger - Wayne made friends easily.

In addition to his mother and father Viola and Percy MacMurray, he also leaves to cherish his memory his children: daughters Latrice Martin (Smitty) of San Antonio, Texas, Chelsea Martin of Leesville, Louisiana, and son D. J. Martin of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren: Trayvon Martin, DeAndre Martin, Travion Martin, London Liggins, and Leighton Liggins: siblings Michael “Mickey” Martin, Sheila Martin, and Glenda MacMurray; Aunt Thelma Pendergrass, Aunt and Uncle Patricia and William Martin, Jr., longtime companion and caregiver Sandra Jones, and a host of cousins and friends.