October 5, 1922 - Feb 28, 2008

Longview News-Journal 3/2/2008 

Graveside services for Homer Lee Martin will be noon Saturday, March 8, 2008, with military honors, at East Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Martin was born October 5, 1922, in Bowling Green, Missouri, and died February 28, 2008, at Overton-Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.

He joins his wife, Laura Martin, who died in July 2006.

Homer is survived by eight of his brothers and sisters; his four sons, Clifford, Cecil, Mike and Walter; 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Homer made his debut in Longview during World War II when the U.S. Army sent him to a military hospital to recuperate from malaria, which he contracted on duty in the Philippines. Shortly after the war ended, he was discharged from the hospital and later met and married Eunice Ford from Rusk, Texas.

They settled in Longview, where Homer started a home building business. He was joined by three of his brothers, who all worked together to develop several subdivisions, still thriving in South Longview. In 1960, Homer sold his business and moved to East Mountain, where they started raising cattle on their small ranch. To subsidize his income, he worked as lead carpenter for Stewart Construction until he retired in 1979. He continued raising cattle until 1990.

Homer Martin lived his life by four principles: Never owe money to anyone; help your neighbor when he asks; there is always something more to learn; and never trust a lawyer. He made sure his sons learned everything they needed to know and ensured that each that wanted to go to college did. Homer will truly be missed by everyone who knew him.