Lewis Franklin “Frank” Martin, Sr., 80, a longtime resident of Jena, passed away at his home Sunday, September 1, 2013. He was born February 26, 1933, the son of James Cecil Martin, Sr. and Nellie Alice Kitchingham Martin, in Calvin, the middle child of seven. He graduated from Calvin High School where he excelled in sports, was President of his senior class and Mr Calvin High School. He then attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, on a football scholarship, never having played football. Taking a break from college in 1953-1955 to serve in the United States Army where he attended Leadership School and won the American Spirit of Honor Medal. In Germany, he was Radar Operator and spent most of his military career playing football, basketball, and softball in Europe. He then returned to Northwestern to complete his BS degree, and later attended Northeast University (ULM) toward a master’s degree. He is also a graduate of LaSalle Institute in Salesmanship and the Petroleum Institute. He was employed with Cities Service Oil Company in Lake Charles, LA and later moved to Houston, TX. In 1964, he accepted a position with Huey P. Long Vocational-Technical School as Business Instructor in Jena, LA. Frank became Assistant Director of the Winnfield and Director of Rod Brady Vocational-Technical School in Jena, LA of which he was instrumental in building the new building. He retired in 1988. He was active in Boy Scouts of America for thirty-three years and served as Scoutmaster of the Jena Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts when his sons were growing up. He received the prestigious Silver Beaver Award in 1971. He was active in and manager of a Little League Baseball team when his sons played. Frank was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jena where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. He was Past Master of the Calvin Lodge, Past Master of the 5th District Masonic Lodge, and received the 32nd degree in Scottish Rite. He was President of the Jena Kiwanis Club in 1975. He has been an avid fisherman, hunter, golfer, and wood carver. He has been involved in genealogy and historical research for the past forty-nine years and has researched and published books of interest to genealogists and historians. Services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 4, at the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena with the Revs. Lamar Carpenter and Dominick Di-Carlo officiating.. Interment followed in Couley Double Churches Cemetery in Winn Parish under direction of Kinner and Stevens, Inc. of Jena. Preceding him in death were his parents and three brothers, James Cecil Martin, Jr., Charles Samuel Martin, and Robert Lamarr Martin. Surviving him are his wife, Lenora “Nora” (Martin) Martin of Jena; two sons, Lewis Franklin Martin, Jr. and wife, Tammy of Spring, TX, and Michael Edward Martin of Pineville; three granddaughters, Alicia M. Martin of Jena, Melissa L. Martin of Baton Rouge, and Ashley N. Martin-Pilcher and husband Brad of Alexandria; three great grandchildren, Nathan and Nicole D’Angelo and Mia Pilcher; two brothers, John Henry Martin and W. H. Kenneth Martin, both of Calvin, and one sister, Betty Alice Nugent of Deville. Pallbearers were Collin Martin, Edward Martin, Bill Martin, Stanley Martin, Link Martin, and Walter Nugent. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. I. C. Turnley, Jr. and Gregg Davies.
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