Dr. Charles Basil Martin, born on August 9, 1930, in Pittsburg, KS, passed away on December 11, 2024, in Denton, Texas. During his early years, he lived on a farm in New Mexico and later moved to Albuquerque, where he graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1947. Charles pursued higher education with dedication, earning a degree from the University of New Mexico in 1952, a master's degree from the University of Florida in 1954, and a Doctorate in English from the University of Missouri in 1959.

He began his teaching career at East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma, where he taught for five years. Charles then dedicated 35 years to teaching at the University of North Texas. His academic career was distinguished by two Fulbright lectureships, one in Spain from 1967 to 1987 and another in Morocco in 1986. He retired from teaching in 1999.

Charles was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Denton and participated in several mission trips to Mexico and Guatemala. He had a passion for travel, exploring many places in the United States and abroad, including Canada, Peru, Mexico, the Caribbean, England, Scotland, France, Germany, and Italy.

He married Darlyn Dossey in Albuquerque in 1961, and together they raised three children: Bradley Steven Martin, Gregory Scott Martin, and Randall Clark Martin. Charles is survived by his sons Brad Martin and his wife Tracy, Greg Martin and his wife Malinda, Randy Martin, and his grandchildren Kevin Martin and wife Kerri, Connor Martin and fiancé Kenzie, Cody Martin and fiancé Cassie, and Kaylin Martin and husband Caleb. He was preceded in death by his parents, William R. Martin and Vera Fletcher Martin.

Visitation will be held at DeBerry Funeral Home on Monday, December 16, 2024, from 5PM to 7PM. Funeral services are scheduled to begin at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11AM, with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Denton Christian Preschool, Our Daily Bread, Interfaith Ministries or First United Methodist Church in Denton.