JAMES MARTIN

James Vernon Martin was born Nov. 22, 1931, near the community of Duffau, Texas, in the southeast part of Erath County to Lanham Martin and Anna Jones Martin.

James grew up on the Overton Ranch which is a division of the Lambshead Ranch near Albany, TX. Upon graduating high school at Albany, he entered Texas Tech and studied Agriculture. During his senior year at Tech, James was drafted into the Army and served from Nov. 23, 1952, until Oct. 28, 1954, attaining the rank of Sgt-E5. He was in the Combat Engineers.

After separation from the Army, James returned to Albany and worked for the Matthews Ranch. He married Marilyn Ann Blackwell in Mineral Wells on Dec. 31, 1954. 

James worked for the Matthews Ranch until January of 1966 when he accepted the job of Ranch Manager for J.B. Pumphrey and Son at Old Glory, Texas, a position he held for 55 years until his death. In 1978 he was offered a job with Cities Service. 

Jay Pumphrey told James that he should take the job offer, and if he wanted, he could take care of the ranch on his days off.  James took the job with Cities Service and was employed in the gas industry until his passing.

James loved and enjoyed his family very much, especially when grandkids started coming and then even more when great grandkids started hitting the ground.

James is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn of Aspermont, TX; son, Westley and wife Jackie of Aspermont, TX; son, Lanham and wife Holly of Moran, TX; the granddaughter that he and Marilyn raised, Harley Williams and husband Gerald of San Angelo, TX; grandsons, Jeff Martin, Ethan Martin and wife Bethanie, Eli Martin and wife Shayle; granddaughters, Sara Chamberlain and husband Chris, Elizabeth Martin, and Erica Preston and husband Kolton; eight great grandsons and three great granddaughters and a host of other relatives and friends.

Everyone enjoyed Grandad coming over, sitting around the table, and hearing stories of his past. His presence will be missed by all.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Lanham and Ann Martin, infant son John Edward Martin, brother and sister-in-law Carroll Martin and wife Charlene Martin.

Family and friends gathered at Tankersley Funeral Home in Stamford, TX Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, from for visitation. James was laid to rest Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., with graveside services in the Albany Cemetery in Albany, TX with Pastor Robbie Harris officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.

The family asks that if anyone is so inclined, they donate to their favorite charity in James’s memory.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the Martin Family at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com PD

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ELSIE BYRNE

A graveside service for longtime Albany resident Elsie Byrne was held Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 at  the Moran Cemetery for Elsie Byrne  She was 104 years old, born Feb. 22, 1917. Mrs. Byrne died Nov. 20, 2021.