East Liverpool, Ohio- Ferrall V. “Fats” Martin, 95, of Bradshaw Avenue passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 10:33am at the East Liverpool City Hospital following a lengthy battle with “Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma”…. an inoperable brain tumor. Born November 29, 1923 at New Manchester, West Virginia or “Pughtown”, he was a son of the late James and Ethel Baxter Martin.
A lifetime area resident, he owned and operated the former Martin’s Auto Body Shop for 50 years. He then drove school bus for another 24 years for East Liverpool City Schools. Prior to that he worked for the former Crucible Steel Company in the agricultural department and with the Purity Milk Company.
A World War II veteran, he served with the U.S. Army fighting in the European Theatre in Italy, France and Germany where he was wounded in combat in Northern France. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #66, where he served as Past Commander, he was a Past Commander of the Columbiana County VFW. A founder and Captain of the VFW National Championship Rifle Drill Team, he is a Life member of the Disabled American Veteran’s – John Covert Post#47, as well as a life member of American Legion Post #374.
A Past Colonel of the local Color Guard and Burial Group. Also, he was a member of the Potter’s Club in East Liverpool He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in East Liverpool. Preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Virginia R. Martin, whom he married December 30, 1942, she passed away January 16, 2017.
Survivors include one daughter, Tyra Campbell and her husband, Charlie of East Liverpool. There are seven grandchildren, Teresa Harrison and her husband, Chris, whom he helped raise, Terry Lee Martin, Brent Taggart, Timothy Martin, Chad Campbell and his wife, Holly, Mike Campbell and his wife, Jody and Scott Campbell and his wife, Trudy; five great-great grandchildren, Courtney DuBray and her husband, Mike, Alexis and Natalie Harrison, Stephanie Zagarella and her husband, Loza, Jacob and Josh Martin, Ashley and Caitlin Taggart, and Liam Campbell; and six great-great-great grandchildren. There is one sister, Wilma Pierce and her husband, Vern of Overgaard, Arizona.
Besides his parents and his wife, he was also preceded in death by one son, Terry V. Martin; one sister, Elvira Risenger, and two brothers, Harold “Hap” L. Martin and Clifford Martin. Friends may visit the family on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Dawson Funeral Home in East Liverpool. Pastor Eric Edwards of the church will officiate a funeral service at 4:00pm Friday at the funeral home.
The Tri-State Veteran’s Burial Group will accord full military honors. - Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery. Following the service family and friends will gather at the American Legion Post #374 in East End.
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