Larry Martin Obituary

Martin
Larry Dean Martin
March 28, 1940
April 4, 2023

Army LTC (Ret.) Larry Dean Martin passed away peacefully at his home in Green Valley, AZ, on April 4, 2023, with his wife of 61 years, Nancy by his side.
Larry was born March 28, 1940 in Galesburg, IL, to Dorothy Kenney Martin and Russell Martin of Maquon, IL. Larry graduated from Knoxville High School in 1958 and in 1960 he joined the Illinois National Guard and married the love of his life, Nancy Christine (Cricket) Freeman on October 28, 1961, raising 2 sons, Larry Duane, and Richard Russell.
Larry joined the regular Army in 1964, becoming a Huey helicopter pilot serving two tours in Vietnam. Upon his return to the states, the family moved to Daytona Beach, FL, where Larry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After several more assignments, including 3 years in Hanau, Germany, Larry retired in 1984 and he and Nancy returned to their home in Colorado Springs, where they remained until 2019 when they moved to Green Valley, AZ.
He was passionate throughout his life about collecting antiques & coins, cooking and playing golf. For a fifteen year stretch he could be found almost daily on the fairways of the United States Air Force Academy golf course. He and his golf buddies were often the first to arrive at the course, makers of the first pot of coffee and were allowed the privilege of being the first cart out in the morning to tend to the tee boxes and greens and repair damage caused by the weather or the deer who wander the course.
Larry is survived by his wife, Nancy, younger sister Sue Odell (Jerry) of Omaha, NE, his son Larry Duane Martin (Janet) of Littleton, CO, seven grandchildren and two great granddaughters. He remained estranged from his son Rich and family at the time of his death.
He will be buried with full military honors at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado on Monday, June 26th @ 1:30pm. Family and friends are welcome to attend the ceremony.