Colonel Clyde Edward Martin (US Army, Ret.), 77, died Oct. 1 at his residence.  He was born in Columbia, Tenn., son of Clyde E. and  Mae Biles Martin. 
He was a 1953 graduate of DeKalb County High School in Smithville, TN. He joined the Tennessee National Guard in 1952, serving a tour in Korea on active duty as an enlisted soldier.  Col. Martin earned a direct commission as a second lieutenant and retired as a full colonel serving honorably for thirty five years.
While in the service, he graduated from Command and General Staff College, Advanced Armored Officers School, Advanced Military Police Officers School and Advanced Army Engineer’s Officers School.  Col. Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Middle Tennessee State University and was a licensed professional civil engineer and an accredited airport executive. 
After his military career, Col. Martin was active in the building of the new Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport where a street was named in his honor, Clyde E. Martin Drive. He was a member of Solomon’s Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M., Alee Shrine Temple and served as president of the Dune Cats in 1993, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and was also very proud to be a Tennessee Squire with the Jack Daniels Distillery.   He was a communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.  Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Martin.
Surviving are his wife, Catherine Martin, of Savannah, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law, Blake and Dawn Martin, of Savannah, Ga.; sons, Tyler Gerow, of Daufuskie Island, SC; and Casey Thompson, of Savannah, Ga.; adopted daughter, Brenda Martin, of Murfreesboro; grandchildren, Amy Lee Ting and her husband, Chris, of Pooler, GA; Christina Kinkin of Chicago, Ill.; great grandson, Kyle Kinkin of Chicago, Ill.; mother-in-law, Ammie Brooks, of Savannah, Ga.; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Brooks Ryan and her husband, Tony, of Tybee Island, Ga.; Judy Griffin, of Savannah, Ga.; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
A Christian Wake Service was held Oct. 3 at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel.
Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 4, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with the Reverend John Tran, Celebrant.
Pallbearers included Reid Ryan, Kevin Ryan, Taylor Griffin, Chris Ting, Dave Ashlock and Sam Scott.  Serving as honorary pallbearers was the Alee Shrine Dune Cats.
Burial was in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens with Full Military Honors and Masonic Rites.
 Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel, Savannah, Ga. was in charge of arrangements.
SMITHVILLE REVIEW
Smithville, TN
October 05, 2011
www.foxandweeks.com