Edward Doyle Martin

Edward Doyle Martin, age 89, passed away November 22, 2013. Born February 7, 1924 in Waco, Texas to Robert Lee and Viola Webb Martin. Doyle is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Alice, and three of their children; Edward Martin and wife Patsy of Austin; Joyce McMillan and husband Robert of Abilene, Tx; and Terry Martin of Houston; four grandchildren; Leah, Bobby, Phillip and Amy; and two great grandchildren, Ian and Gracie.

He was preceded in death by his son Larry, his sister Alice Viola Michal, and his five brothers: Robert Lee, Wesley Calvin, Thomas Jeptha, Joseph Wendell and Daniel Wayne.

Doyle and his mother, sister and brothers weathered the Great Depression after his father died at a young age, a struggle that shaped him and his family. After graduating from high school, he served in the Marine Corps from July 4, 1943 to November 27, 1945, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre as a Staff Sgt. and flying as a Radio Gunner in a TBF in campaigns that included Okinawa, New Georgia, Bougnaville, and several other western Pacific islands.

After the war, he met Mary Alice Michal, the cousin of his sister Alice’s husband Emil Michal. They were married on April 17, 1948 and settled in Orange, Texas for a year before moving to Houston in 1949, where they bought the house that is still home today. Doyle worked as a structural steel draftsman, a skill that led to a 30 year career at Capitol Steel and Iron. Doyle spent his free time being a Daddy, participating in church activities, loading up the car for weekend drives and vacations, coaching Little League, and going to countless Colt .45 and Astro games.

After retiring, there were Marine reunions and trips to get Hill Country peaches, and the time he had with the grandkids and great grandkids that always brought him joy. And no one ever shelled pecans into more perfect halves.

Neighbors, co-workers, fellow Marines, nurses, and the folks who served him barbecue were all part of Doyle’s family, too. Our family thanks all of you for being part of our community of friends and family. You brought him, and all of us, to a place where we find peace.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in his honor to Toys for Tots or Oak Forest Baptist Church.