Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper

Larry Clifford Martin

Larry C. Martin, 84, former resident of Dalton, died August 13, 2021 at his home in Salem, Oregon. He was born in Dalton, Nebraska on December 20, 1936 to John Clifford “Cliff” and Edna [Ewing] Martin. His father Cliff was the village blacksmith from 1934 to 1945, taking over the blacksmith shop after the death of his father Herman. Larry’s mother Edna was the daughter of Ed and Maude Ewing who operated E. S. Ewing’s grocery store in Dalton from about 1916 to 1945. Larry attended Dalton School through the third grade. Larry and his family moved from Dalton in the fall of 1945. The family eventually settled in Salem, Oregon, where Larry graduated from Salem High School in 1954 and Willamette University of Oregon in 1960.

Larry received a commission in the Air Force and had a military career of more than 24 years as an Intelligence Officer, with assignments primarily at Air Force headquarters and the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC. He also served in Vietnam, Germany, Alaska, Colorado, and South Carolina. He retired from active duty in 1984 as a Lieutenant Colonel. For the next ten years he worked as an intelligence systems analyst in the private sector in the Washington, DC area. Since 1996, Larry and his wife Danell lived an active retirement on the central Oregon coast. He enjoyed history and visiting historical places, governmental issues and current affairs, and research and exploration via the Internet.

Although Larry left Dalton just prior to his ninth birthday, he always treasured his childhood experiences in Dalton and Cheyenne County, and throughout his life he believed they had a positive influence on his character and personal values. In 2001 he completed a book about his Dalton experiences, which he wrote primarily for his children and grandchildren. His book, At the Foot of the Water Tower: My Childhood Years in Dalton, Nebraska 1936-1945 is available at the Dalton library and museum and the Sidney library.

Preceding Larry’s death was his eldest son Tom from Florida who died in June of this year. Survivors include Danell, his wife of 65 years; children, Dan and Anne of Virginia, and Jack of North Carolina, and their spouses; nine grandchildren and a growing number of great-grandchildren, and sister Marilyn Wentzel. Interment will be in Salem, Oregon/ Larry was a supporter of the Dalton Prairie Schooner Museum. Any who wish to make a contribution in Larry’s memory may send to the Dalton Museum, PO Box 314, Dalton, NE 69131.

Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

 

Reader Comments(0)