Pete Martin

RENDON -- Pete John Martin passed away Monday, Oct. 10, 2011. Service: 9:45 a.m. Friday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Memorial service: 11:30 a.m. Friday at Blessing Funeral Home, 401 Elm St., Mansfield, the Rev. Mike Ramsdell officiating. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials: Contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Mansfield. Pete was born Aug. 15, 1930, in Detroit, Mich., to Pete and Jessie Spurrier Martin. He joined the Air Force at 17 and served during the Korean War, with his last assignment at Carswell AFB, and then Texas became his home. A lover of jazz and a dance instructor, his interests ranged from the arts to sports to all his children's and grandchildren's activities. In 1993, Pete retired from Bell Helicopter after 31 years. From an early age, he had a deep faith and kept his witty sense of humor up until his peaceful passing. Survivors: His wife, Wanda; son, Brig. Gen. Richard Lee Martin and wife, Roseann; daughter, Texas poet laureate Karla K. Morton and husband, Stan; grandchildren, Matthew and Kathryn Morton and Kevin and David Martin; brother, Michael Grzesik; sisters, Dolores Bishop, Frances DelGreco; sister-in-law, Judy Grzesik; and numerous nieces and nephews. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Pete Martin please visit our Sympathy Store.