Tributes

To view the Home Going Celebration for James Earl Martin - scheduled to start Friday, October 2 2015 10:00 AM CDT go to this link: http://livestream.com/accounts/7325565/jamesearlmartin This is MY Story by James Earl Martin Friday, October 2, 2015 It all began in a little whistle stop, called Mc Gregor Texas. A man named Harry Lafayette Martin stumbled upon one of the most beautiful, charming, intelligent, and graceful women that God ever created. Her name was Carrie Boulden . From this relationship, two children were born. The first born was my sister Jessie Mae and I, James Earl Martin, was the baby, born on January 31, 1934. God provided another man, by the name of Alonzo Williams, (mama would call him “Honey”) to become the husband and father to this family. Like most children in our neighborhood, Jessie and I grew up in the church. On Sundays, we were at church all day long--from Sun up to Sun down. During our teenage years, I wanted a life in addition to church, but now that I am an adult, I am grateful for the upbringing. It payed of in many positive ways. Jessie and I were always very close, and we always tried to make our parents proud. I guess you could say I was a born leader. I did very well matriculating through school. I was voted President and graduated as the Valedictorian of the 1950-1951, Senior Class at I. M. Terrell High School. As Drum Major of the school band, I received a full scholarship to Huston Tillotson University. After serving 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, I went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Applied Arts and Science from Southwest Texas University . When I retired from the military I was blessed to get civil service employment and retired after 20 years as a GS-12. During my successful career in the military I started a family and I nurtured my children while they were growing up. This made Mama Carrie our mother (as she was af ectionately known) very happy. She had the opportunity to spoil both Jessie and my children, and each of them have a story to tell. I was elected Worshipful Master of Bluebonnet, Lodge No. 192, the Free and Accepted Masons of Texas in 1978. I also served as President of the Lancer Social and Civic Club for 7 years. Although I did not have biological brothers, the men I was acquainted with in the military, the Lodge, and the Lancers, became my brothers, and I love them dearly. Many of them served in the military with me and we traveled all across the US and abroad. As servicemen, they simply called me Martin, but the people at home call me “Bubba” or “Uncle Bubba” . Rather than settling back in Ft. Worth, I chose to stay in San Antonio. Yes, I love the Spurs and I am a die hard Cowboy fan as well. Now if I list all the awards and acclamations that I received, this story would never end; and at this point in my life they have all become faded glories. However, there is one that remained active in my memory to the very end of my story. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time in the Biology Lab at St. Philip’s College. We were dissecting frogs and I heard a voice say, “Will someone help me?” and my eyes were opened as I came to the rescue. The chemistry that resulted from that moment was created before the beginning of time. Finally,I received the FLESH OF MY FLESH AND BONE OF MY BONE. We dated for 12 years and were married for 23years. We actually got married on the San Antonio River on June the 1st, 1992 and God was our witness. The state of Texas allows for that, but the wedding that brought tears to my eyes took place just last year at Aldersgate UMC. This time it was witnessed by many of you and Celebrated by God. With the help of God we remained unified; “for richer or poorer and in sickness and in health” . It was only in death that we parted. Like Adam in the garden of Eden, The Flesh of My Flesh and Bone of my Bone will forever be Ruth Aquellis Martin. We went full circle and I ended up right back where my mother had started : IN CHURCH. This time I did not secretly desire to be doing something else. I was devoted to bible study at Yenni Ministry, barbecuing, frying fish, and making my award winning potato salad to bless the church. My final desire is to Bless the church with transportation, a bus or van. Now, I have told my side of my story, I will let my family and friends tell their side in the Eulogy. I leave no one to mourn my departure. Everyone should Celebrate and God will Be with you until we meet again in the New Jerusalem !!!!!

Tributes

James Earl Martin

January 31, 1934 - September 25, 2015