Jerry D. Martin

FORT WORTH — Jerry D. Martin, 86, died Saturday, February 14, 2015 in Fort Worth.
Committal Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.
Memorials: Memorial gifts may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas or to a charity of choice.
Jerry was born April 1, 1928, in Evadale, Texas, the first child of Claude Pat Martin and Rose Bernice Bruce. He was raised near Pineland, and graduated from Pineland High School. A veteran of WWII, he served in the U.S. Navy. In 1950, Jerry met and married Sarah Carolyn Willis in Houston where their only child, Karen Kay, was born. Jerry graduated with a BBA from the University of Houston, and began a long career as an Auditor for multiple US government organizations. Jerry’s career spanned stints as a civilian auditor working for the U.S. Air Force in in both Houston and San Antonio before foreign assignments took the family to Japan and the Philippines. After a year at Bell Helicopter in Texas, Jerry returned to Asia, working in Taiwan, Republic of China, first for the United States Agency for International Development, then for Civil Air Transport/Air America. He and Carolyn returned to Dallas in the late 60’s, and resided there until moving to Fort Worth in 2009. After he and Carolyn retired from government service, they travelled again for the joy of it, with cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska, and extended stays in Las Vegas. Jerry continued to perfect his thoroughbred handicapping skills throughout the years, and he never tired of watching horses race.
Jerry was a Freemason and Shriner, attaining 50 year membership in 2014. His kindness, optimistic view of the world, generosity, and loving nature will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The family wishes to thank the staff at the James L. West Alzheimer’s Center for the care and comfort they extended to Jerry during his last years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, his mother and father, his brother Bruce Martin, and his sister and brother-in-law, Dickie and Foster Heathman.
Survivors: Daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Charles Cerulla of Fort Worth; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Jane Martin of Quitman; sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and Sonny Woolems of Jasper, and sister-in-law, Susie Martin of Larue. His extended family includes stepgranchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and Bruce family cousins.

BROWN, OWENS & BRUMLEY
Family Funeral Home & Crematory
425 S. Henderson, 817-335-4557