Thomas H. Harry Martin

Thomas H. (Harry) Martin, 81, passed away on 29 Sept 2012 in Huntsville, AL following a long and courageous struggle with cancer.

Harry was born on Dec 6, 1930 in Natchitoches, LA to John and Docia Martin. Harry was a 1948 graduate of Lake Charles High School and shortly after graduating, enlisted in the Navy as a radarman. He honorably served aboard the USS Kimberly during the Korean War achieving the rank of Radarman, Third Class upon his discharge. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1954, he eventually went to work at the Conoco Refinery in Westlake, LA as a lab technician. While working at the Conoco refinery, Harry continued his education by graduating from McNeese State University in 1976 with a degree in Business Management. He continued his career with Conoco, serving in various technical and managerial leadership positions at facilities in Westlake, LA, Houston, TX, Dumas, TX, and Ponca City, OK, eventually retiring after 35 years, culminating his career as a highly successful and respected Plant Manager.

Harry was preceded in death by his younger brother, John Reed Martin, and by his loving wife, Laura Voge Martin for whom he was married for over 54 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Jacque Ward (Terry) of Boise, ID, and her two daughters, Lauren Gierth (Richard) of Tri-Cities, WA and Catherine Pistor (Matt) of Dallas, TX. He is also survived by his son, Keith Martin (Malinda) of Idstein, Germany and his two daughters, Jessica Ballard(Brian) of Huntsville, AL and Lindsey Martin of Starkville, MS.

Visitation will be Thursday evening at Johnson Funeral Home from 6-8 PM with the funeral ceremony conducted at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 5, 2012. A graveside ceremony will be conducted at Highland Memory Gardens immediately following the funeral ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations are made to Louisiana Baptist Children's Home or Trinity Baptist Church of Lake Charles.