Carl P. Martin, 73, passed away under his favorite shade tree at his home on May 12, 2016.

He was born to Clarence "C.H." Martin and Edith "Tudie" Shockey Martin in Clarita, Oklahoma on a beautiful spring day on March 9, 1944. He attended Tupelo Grade School and was a graduate of Tupelo High School.

Carl once stated that he should have gone coon-hunting on the day the draft board showed up in Tupelo but he didn't and on June 1, 1965 he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. Carl was inducted into Battery D 7th Battalion 16th Artillery 7th U.S. Army serving in Germany training the use of field artillery. He was honorably discharged May 16, 1967 and received the Good Conduct Metal and the National Defense Service Metal.

He came home to his loving parents whom he cared for until the time of their deaths. Carl loved to coon-hunt, farm, garden, squirrel hunt, fish and arrowhead hunt.

Carl was employed by Philpot Construction later known as Cummins Construction building bridges throughout the state of Oklahoma, retiring to his farm south of Tupelo where he remained until the time of his death. Carl spent hours sitting under a shade tree in his yard talking to the young people  in his life who needed someone who  listened to them about their hopes and dreams or trials and tribulations, never once casting doubt on their ability nor judging them for their mistakes.

Carl is survived by his sisters: Edith Jones and Charlene Holden of Tupelo and Hazel Martin–Leonard of Stafford, KS, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and his friends from the Kountry Store.

Pallbearers were: Frankie Stevens, Landon Lynch, Justin Martin, Dustin Bushnell, Kenny Pearce and Kenneth Martin. Honorary pallbearers were: Billy Don Shockey, James "Rooster" Airington, Eddie Parker, Don Britt and Bethany Hunter.

Services were held at the home of Edith Jones   on Sunday May 15th.  He was laid to rest by in a pine box lined with alder made for him by Justin Martin. His place of rest is on the north side of the pasture under a small shade tree just as he requested. Service was led by nephew Gary Martin and great-nephew Logan Lynch. Brown's Funeral Home provided care.