Millard Howard Martin

102 Years of an extraordinary life that spanned covered wagons to the International Space Station…Howard Martin was born south of Las Animas in a dugout. He was delivered by his grandmother on April 20, 1918.

He left this life at home lovingly surrounded by his family on November 28, 2020. He is survived by daughters, Kay Christensen, La Junta, CO, Carolyn Jacobs, Arvada, CO, Glenda Thompson, La Junta, CO, and daughter-in-law Sue Martin, Colorado Springs, CO. Grandchildren Michelle (John) Tomky, Scott (Tracy) Thompson, Lisa (Bill) Penrod, Deborah Thompson, Randall (Jennifer) Martin, LoriAnn (Sean) Strickland, Cynthia (Joseph) Harris and Jason Jacobs; eleven great-grandchildren and sixteen great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Millard Lee Martin and Mary Frances Doyle Martin, stepfather Clyde “Red” Kygar, his wife and son Vera V. Burchett and Ronald Dean Martin and brother Clay Warner Martin.

His early life was filled with travel…three trips to Spearman, Texas in a covered wagon, because there was no food to be had where they were living. A one room schoolhouse, Pine Hill, south of Las Animas was the site of his early education. He later attended Bent County High School, where he graduated in 1937. Despite being a rule follower, he lied to the judge about being 21 so he could marry the love of his life Vera Burchett on June 4, 1938. They spent the next 65 years together in a loving relationship that was such a blessing to see.

He was truly a Jack of all trades. There were few things he could not do well. During his 102 years, seven months, and ten days he was a rancher, a farmer, a horseman, a firefighter instructor, a sailor, a bootmaker, a pilot, a small business owner, (he owned a service station, a mink farm, a water delivery service, and leveled land for farmers) he was a healthcare worker, an extraordinary mechanic, and a builder.

He served in the US Navy during World War II. He was a firefighter instructor training officers and pilots survival skills and how to deal with fires when pilots were unable to land safely on aircraft carriers. He was aboard the USS Rixey sailing to Japan when the war ended. The Rixey was a casualty evacuation transport ship that could cruise close to combat areas because it was equipped with guns and was able to respond to evacuate injured when other rescue ships could not. He returned to the states aboard the USS White Plains, an escort aircraft carrier and was discharged on October 19, 1945.

After returning from WWII Howard and Vera purchased a home on Highway 183 on the road to Ft Lyon. They remodeled the small home to raise three daughters and a son in a warm and healthy place that was full of incredible memories. They lived there from 1945 until moving to their summer home outside of Del Norte, CO in 1989. Howard and Vera made lasting friendships with many wonderful people in Las Animas and the Del Norte area. They lived in Del Norte until after Vera’s death in 2003 when he moved with his daughter Kay to La Junta, CO in 2006.

From cars to computers, there was no technology that was out of his reach. He kept track of his grandson’s flights around the country by using his iPad. He celebrated his 102nd birthday on a Zoom call with his family and enjoyed FaceTime chats on his iPad in his final days. His first car was a Model T Ford and at 94 he overhauled a 1985 Porsche 944. He marveled at the spectacular sight of the International Space Station as it streaked across the dark night sky in the mountains of Del Norte.

Howard lived the best of lives. While he had his share of tragedy as everyone does, his life was filled with joy for his family and friends and he kept his sense of humor until the very end. He lived the good life everyone hopes for and he will be deeply missed.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at the Bent County/Las Animas Cemetery Elder Chapel with Pastor Gail Allen of the Valley Cowboy Church officiating. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel in La Junta.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Arkansas Valley Hospice Assoc. or to the Valley Cowboy Church direct or through the funeral home.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.