MARTIN -- Mark E., 86, died Monday, February 27, 2006, in Tulsa, OK. He was born March 25, 1919 and was raised in Clinton, OK. He learned to fly on country airstrips while a student at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. Mark enlisted in the military the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He later completed pilot training and was commissioned an Officer in the Army Air Corps. Mark served throughout the war as a Night Fighter and Squadron Commander in the Pacific Theater, island hopping with American forces to secure territory, and achieving the rank of Major. He piloted a variety of fighter aircraft including the innovative P-61 Northrop Black Widow. After the war, Mark was named superintendent of airports for the Big Island of Hawaii, supervising the construction of new airports on Hilo and Kona. He was promoted to Manager of the Honolulu International Airport in 1952. In 1959, he returned to his home state to pursue business interests that included an airplane sales company, the raising of running quarter horses, and various real estate ventures. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Nellie Martin; his sister, Delight Martin Stout; and his daughter, Victoria Evelyn Martin. He is survived by his son, Steven Mark Martin, daughter-in-law, Daphne Martin and grandsons, Spencer and Hunter Martin, all of Golden, CO; his daughter, Teresa Martin Smith, of Tulsa; granddaughter, Victoria Talley and husband, Dr. David Talley of Memphis, TN; grandson, Ronald Dean Smith, Jr.; granddaughter, Annie Evelyn Smith and her fiance, Richard Mitchell; and the mother of his children, Shirley Martin Lester, all of Tulsa. Throughout Mark's struggle with Alzheimer's Disease, he maintained his desire to help others and his sense of humor. Special thanks to his friend, Bob Shirley and the staff at Aberdeen Heights Assisted Living community, who stood by him to the end. Interment will be in the family plot in Hominy, OK, where he will rest near his beloved daughter, Vickie. Services private. "Daddy: When all things are made new in the love of Christ, we will meet again."
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