Willard Eugene Martin

On August 23, 2024, Willard Eugene “Gene” Martin, age 94 of Semmes, Alabama, passed away following a decline in health and recent hospital stay. A kind and generous man, Gene cared deeply for his wife Linda and extended family members, enjoyed watching Alabama football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and spent hours chasing golf balls on the golf course. He lived a good, quiet life in Semmes, from which he made weekly trips to Lucedale, Mississippi, for fried catfish at Rocky Creek Catfish Cottage.

Born in Slater, Missouri, in 1930, he was the last of three sons of Willard and Virginia Martin. At the age of seven, Gene moved with his family to a farm in rural Slater. Growing up on the Martin Family Farm that remains family-owned today, Gene lived farm life to its fullest, typically running around barefoot and shirtless and making mischief wherever he could. Not long after relocating to the farm, he began operating his own animal traps, catching raccoons, mink, and other critters – whatever might wander into his traps – and soon cultivated his curing and tanning skills, eventually selling many hides. He enjoyed recounting the story of walking to school one day as a young lad and hearing the faint rattling of one of his traps. Taking a detour through the woods, Gene unfortunately discovered he had captured a skunk that proceeded to shower him with a defensive spray to the face and clothes. Despite his diligence to continue to school after the incident, he and his new pungent attire were denied entry to the one-room schoolhouse and then again upon his attempted return home. He persevered on that cold Missouri winter day until he was permitted into the family house following removal of the malodorous clothing on the back porch.

Known as “Eugene” during his childhood and teenage years, he loved sports and actively participated in baseball, football, and basketball throughout his tenure at Gilliam High School, home of the Greyhounds. Upon graduation from GHS in 1948, he joined the Air Force and was assigned to Germany following basic training. A veteran of the Korean War and in the role of Supply Seargent, he served in Germany four years, then at Eglin Air Force base in Florida for two years, and later as a civil servant at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama, until its closure in 1964. He subsequently transferred to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, serving in civil servant roles that included Senior Budget Analyst for the U.S. Army Missile Command. Gene also often competed as a member of Air Force sports teams, representing the base he served, and was able to see much of Europe while competing against other American Air Force bases. In total, Gene served 36 years in military and civil servant roles before retiring in 1985.

Within a few years of retiring, Gene’s first wife Doris Baggett passed away in 1992. Gene later moved from Huntsville to Mobile, Alabama, and married Linda Durant Harvison on November 5, 1994. Upon marrying Linda, Gene became a father for the first time to Linda’s two grown children, Michael Harvison and Donna (Harvison) Summerlin, as well as a grandfather eventually to two grandsons, Kyle and Colin Harvison. Gene was amazed to hold a newborn baby for the first time in his life when Colin was born. Prior to marrying Linda in 1994, Gene had rededicated his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized at Gulf Hills Baptist Church (now Snow Road First Baptist) in Semmes by Dr. Paul Montalvo, who later performed the wedding of Gene and Linda. Gene's quiet faith remained steadfast until his passing.

In addition to pursuing his passion of playing golf well into his retirement years and following the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team his whole life, Gene was an avid Alabama football supporter, holding season tickets for more than 50 years after becoming a fan of Coach Paul Bear Bryant. He travelled regularly to games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, as well as made trips to watch the Tide win in most SEC stadiums. As a quiet natured man, he was not one to jump and cheer, but instead quietly observed and analyzed each play, only becoming vocal when an official or coach made a wrong call or play. Consistent with his love of sports generally and football specifically, Gene also enjoyed weekly trips to Baldwin County, Alabama, for Foley High School football games for many years, participating on the sidelines and keeping statistics for his brother-in-law Jimmy Nazary during his tenure as head coach during many winning seasons. Aside from committing time to golf and football, Gene’s farm upbringing remained an influence throughout his life, and he devoted much time and many resources to growing the perfect tomato.

Gene is survived by his wife of 29 years, Linda Durant Harvison Martin of Semmes, Alabama; daughter Donna Kay Harvison Summerlin (Jeremy) of Gulf Shores, Alabama; son John Michael Harvison (Teresa) and grandsons Michael Kyle Harvison and Marcus Colin Harvison of Land O’ Lakes, Florida; and nieces Julie Galloway of St. Louis, Missouri; Jana Roberts (Ken) of Columbia, Missouri; Debbie Cano (David) of Gilliam, Missouri; Renita Dougherty (Ray) of Holden, Missouri. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Willard Clyde Martin and Virginia Norene Haines; two brothers Dean Martin and Leo Martin; and his first wife Doris Baggett.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Radney Funeral Home Chapel at 11 am with visitation from 10 am until service time. Burial will follow at Alabama State Veterans Cemetery at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Gene’s honor to the Snow Road First Baptist Church, Principal Payment to Mortgage Fund.