1st Sgt Martin Pendleton

Martin "Marty" Pendleton passed from this earth October 22, 2022. The race was a long adventure, but we're certain he heard the words "Well done” as he crossed the finish line.

Marty was born February 10, 1930, in Alameda, California. The third of 4 children, he remained in the Oakland area until he joined the Marines after high school. He met and fell in love with Marjorie Alice Holmstedt, and they were wed September 25, 1949. Marge was a Navy WAVE at the time and served during WW2 and the Korean War.

Right after Marty's service in the Korean War, they transferred with the Marines across the US to North Carolina on their great life journey with their first son in tow, Steven. David soon came along in North Carolina and Alan not long after.

Marty was transferred several times around the southeast including Alabama and Tennessee, from where he ultimately served over 18 months in Viet Nam around the seaport area of Chu Lai before retiring after 21 years of Marine Corp service.

Marty moved his family to a suburb of Memphis, TN (Bartlett) for a while as he tried his hand at ranching, raising calves, goats, chickens, turkeys, and even some prize-winning racing pigeons. He was a volunteer fireman in Bartlett, TN. He also worked full time at Memphis State University as the University Center Manager for 11 years.

After retiring from their respective jobs in Memphis, the couple headed south to build a new home and life on one of the bayous of Ocean Springs, MS. They spent much of their time sailing when he wasn’t volunteering as a dental tech or working on a fishing boat. They lived amongst the alligators, snakes and “no see em” bugs for a while and eventually moved to the back bay area of Biloxi, MS. Here, Marge and Marty made lifelong friends in the neighborhood as well as at Planet Fitness, where Marty spent hours most days schmoozing and working out.

Marty is survived by his younger brother Vern in San Leandro, CA. He says adios to his three sons: Steven (Ken), Alan (Pat), and David (Chris) and nine grandchildren: Ethan (Melissa) Pendleton, Andrew Pendleton, Carrie Pendleton (Ian Waites), Alan Pendleton (Catherine), Lisa Pendleton (Jimmy Wooley), Thor, Corey Pendleton, Drew (Shae) Pendleton, Abby (Matt) Lavarda, and great-grandchildren:  Luke and Tyler Pendleton, Thomas Pendleton, Landon Pendleton Spencer and Caden Pendleton.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie (Alice Holmstedt) Pendleton, parents Henry and Anna Pendleton, and sisters Marge and Vivian.

Marty's memorial service will be held at Riemann Funeral Home in Biloxi, MS (274 Beauvoir Rd.) on Friday October 28th, with public visitation at 11:00 a.m. and service at 11:30 a.m., to be followed at 12:30 by a military honors ceremony carried out at the Biloxi National Cemetery, 1234 Pass Rd., Biloxi, MS. Lunch reception immediately following back at Riemann Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Marty preferred that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital https://www.stjude.org/  or Valor Service Dogs https://valorservicedogs.org/ which trains and provides service dogs for wounded veterans.