07/01/2011 - Albert Luevano Martin

ALBERT LUEVANO MARTIN

April 8, 1922 – June 26, 2011

Funeral services for Albert L. Martin of Scottsbluff, formerly of Chadron, will be held on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chadron with Father Tim Stoner officiating.  Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery.  A Rosary will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 7:00 PM at Chamberlain Chapel.

Albert Luevano Martin, beloved family man, neighbor, and friend, died after a brief illness in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, on June 26. He was 89 years of age, and forever young at heart.

Albert (Al) was born to Jose Luevano and Cecilia Montoya Luevano in Topeka, Kansas. When he was six years old, the family moved to Whitney, Nebraska, and began work in the sugar beet fields. Al always said he was “born with a hoe in my hand.” As a child, and a teenager, he worked from dawn to dusk in the fields. He often said that, even on the worst days, the song of the meadowlark would lift his spirits.

At the age of 19, he traveled to Kansas City to seek employment – which he found. Even better, he met the woman of his dreams, Natalie Porras, whom he married in January 1942. Shortly, thereafter, he was inducted into the Army, and served our country in the South Pacific, Solomon Islands. He was a gunner of 90mm anti-aircraft guns; and earned an Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon and the Bronze Star for exemplary service in World War II. Al was injured in Bougainville, and received an honorable discharge in 1944. After the War, the GI Bill enabled him to learn, and to pursue, the tailoring trade – he made elegant coats and suits. He also helped his father-in-law with the delivery of coal and ice. Al was very resourceful, and eventually got a job with the Rock Island Railroad in Kansas City. He apprenticed as a RR Carman and became a Certified Master Welder. In 1956, Al, his wife, and their four daughters moved to Chadron Nebraska. He was employed by the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, where he worked as an Inspector, Master Welder, and Painter until he retired. After retirement, he began another “career” as a truck farmer on 5 acres of land, east of Chadron. He took pleasure in the great outdoors. For recreation, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, socializing, and dancing. To his family, and friends, he was “Larger than Life.”

Al fought for workers rights as a Union Griever (AFLCIO) for 17 years. He was also an advocate for Veterans rights, and thanks to his efforts on their behalf, many veterans received the benefits that were due them. For many years, he served as a leader in various veterans organizations: Commander of the Local, and the District, American Legion; Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Post (DAV); and Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post (VFW). He was a member of the Legion Color Guard, and Firing Squad; and called “cadence” with pride. Al was also a member of St. Patrick’s Church. He loved to sing aloud, at church, at home, and whenever the spirit moved him.

Al is survived by daughters, Marlena Richardson of Boston, MA; Elizabeth (Betty) Sanchez of Chadron, NE; and Mary King of San Diego, CA; sisters, Mary (John) Cisneros and Bernice Camacho of Chadron; Sophia Chapa, of Nash, TX; brother, Angelo (Delphina) Martin of Alliance; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Natalie, and their daughter Theresa Anne. Al will be remembered with affection and respect by his family, friends, and neighbors.

A memorial has been established for the American Legion Post, or to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, both of Chadron. Please send donations to the First National Bank of Chadron, P.O. Box 1351, Chadron, NE 69337.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com