Larry William Martin

After a heroic fight with cancer, Larry William Martin, 78, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He passed quietly at home surrounded by many friends and family. Larry was born June 16, 1931 to Charles E. Martin and Katherine Larremore Martin. He grew up and attended elementary school in Central, NM. He graduated from Teacher's High School in Silver City, NM in 1950. While attending high school he played football for four years and took printing classes where he found his ultimate career. In the meantime, Larry worked for his mother during WWII who drove a milk truck and delivered milk house to house. Larry was one of her delivery boys. He also worked in her grocery store as a butcher and then at the Silver City Daily Press. Larry moved his family to Deming, NM where he worked at the Deming Newspaper. They finally made their permanent home in Las Cruces where Larry worked for the Sun News until 1972 when he and his wife Lois purchased ABC Printing where they worked together for 30 years before retiring in 2001. While in Central NM, Larry was the youngest president of the local Lions Club. At that time he was also the youngest Worshipful Master of Hurley Lodge 55 AF & AM. After moving to Las Cruces Larry transferred his membership to the Las Cruces Lions Club where he served as president and was an active member for many years. Larry was a member of a men's breakfast meeting called "Sale" where he served as president and was an active member for many years. Larry's relationship with his Lord led him to First Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and on various committees. First Church was his home. Larry married Lois McCauley on November 24, 1950, spending 59 wonderful years together. Larry was a family man. His wife and family came first before anything until he became a Christian 23 years ago, which only made him a better husband and father. Larry loved to dance, to square dance, play cards with friends and family, camp and water ski. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. and Katherine Larremore Martin, his sister Charlene Alice Martin, his father and mother-in-law, J. L. and Nancy McCauley, and several brothers and sisters-in-law. He is survived by his loving wife Lois, his son Greg Martin and daughter Charlene Byers both of Albuquerque, NM. His granddaughter Jennifer Byers of Las Cruces, grandson Joshua Byers of Albuquerque, many nieces and nephews, many, many friends and church family. Larry touched many lives and will be missed by all! Memorial Services to celebrate his life will be at 11:00 am on Monday, January18, 2010 at First Baptist Church of Las Cruces, 106 S. Miranda, Las Cruces with Rev. Dr. Maurice Hollingsworth officiating. At Larry's request,a committal service will be held and his ashes will be inurned at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, NM 88005 (575) 523-4700 or First Baptist Church of Las Cruces 106 S. Miranda, Las Cruces, NM 88001 (575) 524-3691. PDF Printable Version