Martin, Ralph

Pinehurst, NC- Ralph Burton Martin, Jr, age 82, died Sunday, April 17, 2011 at his home in Pinehurst. Mr. Martin was born the seventh of nine children to the late Ralph Burton Martin, Sr. and Edith Florence Sanders Martin on October 12, 1928 in Montpelier, Vermont. In 1945, shortly fter his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, NC. In 1947, he married the former Grace Monroe of Southern Pines. After his discharge from the Army in 1952 he worked for a short time as an insurance agent for Durham Life Ins. Co. Mr. Martin returned to military service in 1954 when he joined the North Carolina Army National Guard as an administrative supply technician with Co. D, 130th Tank Battalion in Southern Pines. After nearly 40 years of military service, he retired in 1986 as a Command Sergeant Major with the 2nd Armor Battalion of the North Carolina Army National Guard. Mr. Martin was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved the game of golf. He was an active member of Yates-Thagard Bapatist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Burton Martin, Sr. and Edith Florence Sanders Martin, and a son Mark Martin. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, A. Grace Monroe Martin, sons, Larry Martin and wife Joanna of Southern Pines, Charles Martin and wife Fonda of Fuquay Varina, daughters, Becky Warner and husband Bruce of Pinehurst, Pam Combs and husband Tim of Aberdeen, grandchildren, Michael Bachman and wife Connie, Stephanie Auman and husband Bryan, Drew Martin and wife Meg, Christa Martin, Elizabeth Combs, Scott Martin, Tim Combs, Jr., Hannah Martin, great grandchildren, Dylan and Katie Bachman, Nathan, Natalie, and Emily Auman, and Charlie Grace and Sam Martin, brothers, Kendall Martin and wife Irene of Vermont and Leamaon Martin of North Field Falls, VT. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Wednesday at Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst, 35 Parker Lane, Pinehurst, NC. A Funeral Service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Yates-Thagard Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Johnson officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Southern Pines.