John L. Martin, 85, of Russellville, AR, loving husband and father, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at St. Mary’s Regional Medical in Russellville, AR. He died suddenly from a massive heart attack, while resting at home. He had only recently enjoyed daily walks with his wife. The son of William C. and Sally Beene Martin, he was born November 19, 1923 in Houston, Texas. He served in the Army during World War II as a medic from May 5, 1943 – March 15, 1945. He married J. Kathryn Davis on January 29, 1948, and was happily married for over 61 years to her. They had four children: William (Bill) Dale, John (Jack) Jr., Sally Elizabeth, and David Paul. They have six grandchildren. His siblings include Catherine Makoul, and Donald Martin (deceased). He and his wife had been members of the Methodist church, where he grew up the son of one of the leading Methodist Bishops in the nation. He and his wife have been active in choir, including international choir trips, and also they were active in Sunday School. They also enjoyed international travel regularly, and he was particularly fond of Switzerland and New Zealand.
Institutes of higher education included the following…Graduated from Southern Methodist University (B.S.) in 1949; University of Arkansas (M.S.) in 1953; Texas A&M (Ph.D) 1956
He taught chemistry at Sunset High School in Dallas Texas; general chemistry and biochemistry at Colorado St. University in Ft. Collins; general chemistry and organic chemistry at Baker University in Baldwin, KS; general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry at Metropolitan State College in Denver, CO; organic chemistry at The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley; organic chemistry at the University of Colorado in Boulder, School of Dentistry; general chemistry at Texas Tech University in Lubbock; general, organic, and biochemistry at Arkansas Tech University as well as serving as Dept Head of Physical Sciences from 1986-1991.
Dr. Martin’s Academic Research pioneered the relationship between biochemistry and nutrition of the trace element Selenuim.
He supervised several graduate students: one Postdoctoral, one PH.D, four Master’s as well as serving on numerous graduate committees.
He presented the following Research Papers at Scientific Meetings: - Selenuim-Sulfur Interrelationships – Cornell University - National Meetings of American Chemical Society - National Meetings of the Federated American Societies of Experimental Biology - VIII International Congress of Nutrition-Praque, Czechoslovakia - International Conference on Organic Selenuim and Tellurium Chemistry, New York Academy of Science - III International Symposium on Organic Selenium and Tellurium Compunds- Metz France - Host Chairman of 2nd International Symposium on Selenium in Biology and Medicine – Texas Tech University.
He was also a member in the following scientific societies at one time or another. - Sigma Xi - American Chemical Society - American Institute of Nutrition - Fellow of American Assn. for Advancement of Science
Dr. Martin co-authored numerous publications in peer reviewed journals; refereed manuscripts for the following scientific journals: Analytical Biochemistry, J. Biochemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Phytochemistry; and was a Reviewer for Grant Applications from the following agencies: Veteran’s Administration, US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and National Science Foundation.
Survivors include his wife J. Kathryn Martin of the home; his children, William Dale, John Lee Jr., Sally Elizabeth, and David Paul; grandchildren, Benjamin, Jonathan, Shannon, Miles, Grace, and Joshua Martin; sister, Catherine Makoul. He is not only remembered by family and friends of their Sunday School classes and choir members, but by many, many former students.
Funeral will be 10:30am, Saturday, November7, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in the old Sanctuary. Pastor Thomas T. Frase, and Al Sparkman will officiate. Burial will be Monday, 1pm, Monday, November 9, 2009 at The Fayetteville National Cemetery by Humphrey Funeral Service.
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