Art Bradley Martin

Dr. Art Bradley Martin, 95, Physician and founder of the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 27, 2013. A resident of Fort Smith, he was born December 11, 1917 in Greenwood, Ark. to T.A. and Ethel Watson Martin. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School, attended Arkansas Tech, the University of Arkansas, and earned his M.D. from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1942. He served his internship at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock and completed graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He served as a Battalion Surgeon in the 76th Infantry Division with General Patton's Third Army in Europe during WW II. He received the Bronze Star in 1945 for meritorious service. After leaving the service he joined Holt Krock Clinic where he practiced Internal Medicine from 1945 to 1983. He served as chief of staff at Sparks Medical Center, was on staff at St. Edward's Medical Center and Crawford County Memorial Hospital as well as serving on the board of Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. He was a member of the American College of Physicians, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society, the Arkansas Medical Society, and past president of the Sebastian County Medical Society. In 2003 he retired after serving 25 years as the Medical Director for the Methodist Nursing Home for a total of 60 years in medicine. He was a Amateur Radio Operator, a member of the Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club, and a member of the Masonic Order. He served on the board of directors for the Girl's Club and the West-Ark Area Boy Scout Council. He was a recipient of the Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award, the Fort Smith Spirit of the Frontier Award, and the Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award. His wife Amelia Belle Whitaker Martin predeceased Art in 2004. They were both avid historians and helped preserve much of Fort Smith's History through their work which included founding the Fort Smith Trolley Museum. He also served as a board member of the Clayton House, the Oak Cemetery Commission and was instrumental in the restoration of the Greenwood Tower Clock salvaged from the county courthouse. Art put his trust in Jesus as his Savior and was baptized at the age of 12. He was a member of the South Side Baptist Church where he served faithfully in many areas including Sunday School teacher, chairman of the deacons and deacon emeritus. He is survived by four children; Bradley Martin and his wife Janice of Fort Smith, Tommy Martin and his wife Cathy of Martinsville, Va., Nancy Heflin and her husband George of Bonanza, and Marilyn Fulgham and her husband David of Mobile, Ala.; six grandchildren whom he dearly loved; Shauna Skinner, Nathan Martin, Mark Heflin, Rachel Clark, Stewart Martin, Susanna Ennes and 12 great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 2 p.m. in the South Side Baptist Church. Private burial will be prior to the Memorial in Woodlawn Memorial Park all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Trolley Museum, 100 South 4th Fort Smith, Ark. 72901 or the South Side Baptist Church 2400 Dodson Ave., Fort Smith, Ark. 72901. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.