Volume 12 , Issue 45

Obituary: Senator Ernest D. Martin (1921-2010)

Funeral Services for Senator Ernest D. Martin were held 10:00 A.M. Friday at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Alton Fannin officiating. Interment followed to Rosehill Cemetery with military honors.

Ernest was born April 13, 1921 to James Edgar and Maude D. Estes Martin in Hugo, Oklahoma. He passed from this life on November 2, 2010 in Ardmore at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nita Hegwood Martin in 1994, brothers James Martin, T.J. and R.E. Martin, Calvin Martin, Edgar Martin and a sister Ruthelle Hartsell.

When Ernest was 19, he attended the Commercial Art School in Chicago, Ill for two years and worked in commercial art in Houston for two years, he later decided to join the Army Air Corp for 3-1/2 years during WW II, this is where he meet Nita Hegwood. He and Nita were married March 12, 1946 in Lucedale, Mississippi. He was a graduate of Ardmore High School and University of Oklahoma School of Pharmacy in 1950, which he completed in three years. After Pharmacy school he and Nita moved back to Ardmore and he went to work for his father in Martin's Drug Store.

In 1976 he was awarded the Bowl of Hygeia Award, was recognized for "Outstanding Community Service in Pharmacy" by A.H. Robins and served in the Senate from 1964-1982 where he was majority leader. In office he served as chairman of the Public and Mental Health Department Committee for 16 years and also co-authored a bill to make it possible for Interstate 35 to pass through Ardmore.

Other accomplishments include the Southern Oklahoma Vo-Tech Center, The Ardmore Higher Education Center, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Headquarters Troop F, The Ardmore Veterans Center and many more. But he always said that his greatest accomplishment, the one that made his eyes glow and his posture straighten was the picture of his wife Nita.

He is survived by two sons Terry Lee Martin and his wife Valerie of Ardmore, Larry Martin and his wife Carol of Orlando, Fl., one daughter, Susan Harkins and her husband Jimmy of Ardmore. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Shawn Harkins and his wife Lori and their children Kaylie and Cade Harkins, Jeremy Harkins and his wife April and their child Kasson Harkins, Brandon Martin, Brent Martin, Jayci Martin and Kerry Martin.

For more memories and information on Senator Martin please visit wwwpubco.com/FathersLegacy.

A family visitation was held Thursday (Nov. 4, 2010) evening from 7-8 P.M. at the Craddock Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be made at Craddock Funeral Home.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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