Ernest L. Martin, III

Ernest was a unique and special character, as his wife Eddna, his son Ernie, family, friends and most people who knew him, would unanimously agree. Ernest or Ernie as people liked to call him, always spoke his mind with innate honesty; was very energetic, strong and resilient. He was a romantic, a sensitive soul, an avid communicator who loved to teach and tell stories. He could engage in long-lasting conversations with anybody who would share his interests, and laugh intensely in the company of his son, with whom he shared very happy moments… see video.

He was also compassionate with those in need. One day he skipped his work to help a stranded turtle, carried her into his car, and did not leave her until he found what he considered a safe, adequate place. On another occasion, he helped an old man, who seemed to be in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s. Again, Ernest didn’t rest until he got the old man home safe.

Ernest had an inquisitive mind. At the very early age of 11, his need for adventure took him to the Florida Keys by hitchhiking. At age 18, after finishing high school in NC, and after reading Jack Kerouac, he hitchhiked to California, stopping at Desert Center where he worked as a dishwasher for a few months. His next stop was Lake Tahoe where he met one of his best friends, Don Biddle. He also met the girl who would become his first wife, Janice. They had a son, Ernie Martin IV, and remained married until their divorce in 1970.

In California, he earned his BA in Advertising. After a short time working at an advertising agency, he moved into the stock brokerage business - he travelled to New York where he obtained his broker’s license, taught brokerage school, and remained a stock-broker until 1970 when he made his first forays into self-employment.

He became a dealer in Art and Antiques specializing in various areas, including Art Deco, Bolivian textiles, Mexican dance masks, Mexican retablos, 19th century anonymous paintings, ceramics, among others. He travelled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Mexico City, where he met his second wife, Eddna, in the mid 80’s, with whom he shared his life passions until his death.

On his last day in the hospital, after the doctors gave him the choice to stay or go home, he was worried, not about himself, but about his wife; he expressed himself with his heart wide open with such peace; and then, to ease his wife’s pain he started acting mischievously until his wife had no choice but to laugh and imitate him. He was a stoic, strong, loving person.

The last words he had about his father, with his eyes full of longing, were “my father was the finest gentleman I ever met.”

Ernest was a very fine gentleman too.

He lived an authentic, well lived life!

His wife Eddna, his son Ernie, and his family and many friends will miss him forever.

“till eternity, till the end of times….”