Lifelong Marshall County resident, Larry Martin, spent his entire life in service and devotion to others. Whether a beloved family member, treasured friend, or a stranger stopping through town for a quick bite to eat, when you parted ways with Larry, you left a little more light-hearted with a guaranteed smile on your face.
Larry was born August 10, 1950. Throughout his life, he was a giver, a trusted confidant, and a teller of light-hearted jokes who delighted in bringing joy to others. Though he passed away Monday, May 29, 2023, Larry’s larger-than-life presence left this world a better place.
The last few years of his retirement, Larry loved to “loafer” as he called it, idling around in his truck along country roads with scenic mountain and lake views. He earned this slower pace in life. For more than 50 years, his career was dedicated to hands-on service to family, friends, his country, children, and more than 30 years’ worth of visitors to his restaurants.
A 1968 graduate of Marshall County High School, Larry was drafted and served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Ethiopia as a military police. After returning stateside, he was a deputy with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department for 11 years. In his younger days, he loved trail riding horses with his many buddies and enjoyed tinkering with his hobby farm. In the early 1980s, he took over Kirkland’s Snack Bar in Claysville from his grandparents, Edward and Nettie Kirkland. People drove far and wide for a taste of Larry Martin’s cheeseburger basket piled high with the best homemade onion rings this side of heaven.
He drove a school bus for nearly 17 years. There’s no denying that this line of work kept him young; he loved all the children along his bus route, and they loved riding Mr. Larry’s bus.
The world just couldn’t go without his heavenly onion rings much longer, and Larry was never one to slow down. He started another successful restaurant business in the mid 1990s, Martin’s BBQ in Guntersville. In this line of work, he crafted his greatest skillset – talking to anyone and everyone who crossed his path.
His family remembers Larry’s love of dogs – big or small, mutt or champion bloodline – he delighted in the slobbering smooch of his four-legged companions. He loved classic country and gospel music; old Westerns he watched on repeat; and college football, especially the University of Alabama. He never encountered a bowl of butter pecan ice cream he didn’t enjoy.
Larry had a saying and expression for every situation in life and was always quick to brighten a stranger or friend’s day with a light-hearted joke.
His voice carried like a big old bear, especially when he would call his daughter and ask: “What are you a’doing? Eating a moon pie and drinking an RC cola?!” He answered the phone by saying “Joe’s Pool Hall, eight ball speaking!” or some other manner of silliness. When he said “lemme tell you a western,” you knew it was time to listen because a serious conversation was about to take place.
Larry was a joy to many people, especially his beloved family. In 2000, he married Cathrine Johnson, a devoted wife, companion and caregiver.
Larry was a devoted and loving Daddy to his daughter, Angela Martin Kelley. When he married Cathy, his family grew to four stepchildren that he loved dearly: John Hammett (Sonia) , Cindy King (Jimmy) Joann Fulenwider (Michael), and Connie Collins. Larry was a doting PawPaw to grandchildren: Brynne Kelley, Alex King, Blake King, Keri Galloway, Jessica Humphrey, Jennifer Banks, and Joshua Hammett and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ernestine Martin.
