Alton Lee St. Martin, 91, of Beaumont, died Saturday, February 19, 2011, at his home with his family by his side. He was born August 30, 1919, in New Iberia, Louisiana to Ultima Crochet and Alfred St. Martin.
A World War II veteran, he served in the European campaign entering France during the D Day Invasion. Fluent in French, he served as an interpreter as well as in the Military Police. Returning from the war, he moved to Texas and married Marguerite Brown on October 19, 1945. They had three daughters and forty-three happy years together before her death in December 1988.
Alton worked for Southern Pacific Railroad as an engineer for thirty-eight years before retiring in 1986. A member of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, he served as a lector, usher and Eucharist Minister to nursing homes in the area.
As a boy, he built houses with his father in Louisiana. As a man, he had a loving family and is called “Da Da” by the many children he and his wife took care of in their daycare business. A man of great integrity, humor and intelligence, he leaves a legacy of love, honor and strength. His family, friends and those whose lives he touched join together in saying “We will miss you.”
He is survived by his daughters, Betty St. Martin of Beaumont, Sandy McLaughlin and her husband Bob of Orange; two grandchildren, Shawn Martin of Orange and Stacey Martin of Beaumont; he was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Carter, Maddie and Kana; brother, Edward James St. Martin of Louisiana; dear friend, Maggy Jones; and his beloved cat, Bandit who stayed at his side to the end.
He is preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life, his wife, Marguerite; his daughter, Nancy; and all but one of his siblings.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 4445 Avenue A, Beaumont, with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Christian Vigil will be 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at Broussard’s.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Texas Home Health Hospice for all the care they provided. We are especially grateful to the nurses, Shelly and Linda, and aide, Stephanie, for all they did to help us through this difficult time.
Because of his love for pets, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
