Martin Ritchey Sidener's Obituary
Martin Ritchey Sidener, known to all his family and friends as “Marty” has passed from this earthly life to his heavenly home on February 7, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. He was born on February 1, 1925 to Roy and Pearl Sidener in Arkansas City, Kansas. He was the middle child of 5 children. Marty was a lover of life and life loved him back. He was very social and was involved in many activities. He was known for his generous spirit; anything that flies, golf and food! Marty married Jo Ann Radley Sidener during WWII in 1944 and they were married for 63 years. They had two children Martin Radley and Lyn Dee. He enlisted in the Air Force during WWII at age 17 and became a 1st pilot at the age of 18 and flew 48 missions over Europe without getting shot down before he turned 20 years old. Marty is probably the youngest B26 Bomber pilot in WWII. For his efforts, he earned the Distinquished Flying Cross and The Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters. After the war he graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield Kansas. After teaching high school sports in Dexter, Kansas, he took a job in Wichita, Kansas at Boeing. The job at Boeing lead to an aircraft sales representative job in Dallas Texas, where he sold Aerospace parts for a living, which helped him enjoy the life he lived. They retired in Granbury, Texas where he built his dream house with an airplane hangar on the side. He belonged to “The Marauder Men of the Metroplex; The Marauder Historical Society, Past Board Member for Pecan Plantation Country Club, he participated in the EAA chapter where he lived in Granbury, Texas, he also belonged to the Pecan Plantion RV Club and the WestTex RV Club. He is preceded in death by Jo Ann Radley Sidener and his son, Martin Radley Sidener. Marty leaves behind his daughter, Lyn Sidener Baugh of Granbury, Texas; Brian Sidener and wife, Alana of Dallas, Texas, Michelle Sidener Maples, Aaron Ritchey Baugh and Jamie Lyn Baugh; great-grandchildren, Campbell and Will Sidener, Taylor, Holland and Ryan Maples; sisters, Ruth Turner of Arvada, Colorado and Thelma Morris of Sacramento, California; nephew, Scott Sidener and wife Betty Sue of Dallas, Texas. Marty also leaves behind many friends. The visitation for Martin Sidener will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Restland Funeral Home. The service for Martin Sidener will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 1:00pm at DFW National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please give to the Marauder Historical Society, Pecan Plantation EMS, Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, The Alzheimers Association or the charity of your choice.
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