Colonel Donald F. Martin

Colonel Donald F. Martin, USAF (Ret.)

 November 28, 1935 –August 10, 2025

Donald F. Martin’s journey began on November 28, 1935, in San Francisco, California, born to Fred and Harriet Martin (Howells). His childhood unfolded in the small but spirited town of Kilgore, Texas. A place brimming with oil-field grit, piney woods adventure, and friends who would shape his humble, kind demeanor and instill in him a devotion to service, hard work, and a lifelong dream of flight.

Like many boys in East Texas, Don’s days were filled with hunting, fishing, and playing football and baseball. Always eager to work, he delivered newspapers by bike, worked the drive-in theater, and even taught himself taxidermy so he could sell duck mounts. Yet his eyes were always turned skyward. At 16, he worked as an operations assistant at Kilgore’s Elder Field airport, pumping gas, sweeping hangers, washing and waxing airplanes. Instead of taking home a paycheck, he traded his labor for flying lessons and earned his pilot’s license soon after he got his driver’s license.

Upon graduating high school, Don answered a deeper calling to serve. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent two years stationed in Korea. Returning home, he used the GI Bill to begin college and soon joined the United States Air Force. His early college years took him from Kilgore College to Paris Junior College, where a planned football season turned into a stint playing baseball, and then back to Kilgore. He worked a variety of jobs - in the oil fields of East Texas, in men’s clothing stores, and even at a funeral home, where his rent-free apartment came in exchange for midnight shifts. Eventually, Don completed his ROTC program at North Texas University, graduating in 1961, and by 1962, he was wearing Air Force blue.

Don’s greatest dream was to fly. His eyesight fell just shy of the standard for pilots, but his sharp mind and navigational skills led him to bombardier and navigation training. Through determination and persistence, he found his way into the cockpit of the aircraft he admired most: the C-130 Hercules, the workhorse of the Air Force. For the next 25 years, the C-130 would be his professional home.

In 1965, while stationed in Columbus, Ohio, Don met Elaine Hemmert, a nursing student. Their courtship was brief - orders to Vietnam were already in hand - yet their commitment was certain. “You wanna get married?” Don asked. They did, and thus began Elaine’s whirlwind life as an officer’s wife. During the Vietnam War, Don’s home base was in Okinawa, Japan, allowing him to be with Elaine between missions. Don served two tours in Vietnam, flying C-130s in combat, tactical, and airlift operations. In Okinawa, their first daughter, Kristan, was born.

When his combat tours ended, Don returned stateside with Elaine and Kristan to Nashville, Tennessee. Transitioning to the Air Force Reserve, he transferred to Houston, Texas, where he served as a C-130 instructor and civilian air traffic controller. There, the Martins welcomed their second daughter, Angela. The family later moved to Richards-Gebaur AFB in Grandview, Missouri, where roots took hold, friendships flourished, and their third child, David, was born.

For more than 15 years at Richards-Gebaur, Don rose through squadron, wing, and base command leadership. In civilian life, he worked as a flight instructor, charter pilot, and ground school instructor for TWA, teaching safety protocols to pilots and flight attendants. Ever restless to serve, he was elected to the Grandview City Council, bringing his military leadership skills to local government, contributing to civic growth, championing youth programs, and solidifying his place in the community.

Don’s final military assignment took him to the reserve C-130 base at O’Hare Airport. For more than a year, he commuted home on weekends to be with his family and continue to serve his community. On the day of his promotion to Colonel, he chose to resign his post and return to Kansas City full-time. In the twilight of his Air Force career, Don embraced one of his most meaningful roles -Air Force Academy Liaison Officer, where he helped guide Kansas City–area high school students toward their own dreams of service. Don retired from the United States Air Force in 1995 with the rank of Colonel. His long and storied military service was now complete. 40 years, 10 months, 18 days.

In retirement, Don’s commitment to helping others never waned. He became a full-time volunteer flight planner for Angel Flight, coordinating life-saving missions for patients and families in need of medical transport. He greeted visitors at Belton Regional Medical Center and Liberty Hospital and he offered his math expertise to assist seniors during tax season.

Don was a talented artist, always with a pencil in hand, doodling on scraps of paper or sketching in the margins of whatever was nearby. Somewhere along the way, his creativity took a new turn - he began to dabble in poetry. It started almost by accident, with a playful, one-off poem tucked into the family’s annual Christmas card. But that simple gesture sparked something special. Year after year, the Christmas card came with a new poem, each one brimming with his quick wit and gentle wisdom. Don went on to write countless humorous and clever pieces. Commentaries on family happenings, playful odes to the family dog, and lighthearted takes on the world around him. Each one carried his unmistakable voice: sharp, funny, and full of heart.

Don will be remembered for his humility, steady leadership, tireless service, and the warmth of his storytelling. His legacy of kindness, guidance, and generosity will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elaine; daughters Kristan (Cary) and Angela (Kyle); son David (Jennifer); eight grandchildren - Addison, Logan (Andreya), Conner, Karsen, Hayden, Reese, Patrick, and Lucy; one great-grandchild, Casey; his sister Patti; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his father Fred, mother Harriett, and brother Tom; many military comrades, childhood friends, and dear friends throughout all stations of his life - especially those from Grandview and his former parish, Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00p on Monday, August 18, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church, 309 Stewart Road,  Liberty, MO 64068 Visitation will precede mass beginning at 1:00p. A private burial will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery.