Martin Amos “Sonny” Burrell, of San Antonio, Texas joined his beautiful wife in Heaven on January 2, 2018 at the age of 88 years.
Martin was born January 31, 1929 in San Antonio, one of five children of Amos Francis Burrell and Ida Josephine Theis Burrell. In 1948, he graduated from St. Louis High in Castroville. As a member of “The greatest generation,” Martin joined the U.S. Army in 1950 and was a proud Korean War Veteran, earning an Army of occupation medal (Japan) and Korea service medal.
After completing his military service, he was a cattle rancher and a sales representative for National Wholesale Company in the San Antonio area. He was very active and was a member of several organizations, including St. Joseph’s Society, Knights of Columbus, Hermann Sons, Belgian-American Club, Catholic Life, and San Antonio Hunter’s Club. Among his favorite things to do were to spend time with his daughter and family, go gambling, make sausage, barbeque and cook beans for weddings and church functions, and gardening.
On April 26, 1956, he married Margaret Louise Persyn at St. John Berchmans Catholic Church. Martin and Margaret were blessed with over 55 years of marriage, one daughter, three grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Ida Burrell; wife, Margaret Louise Persyn Burrell; sister, Bernice Schulze and brothers, Milton L. Burrell, Sr. and Raymond J. Burrell.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Robert Crawford of San Antonio; grandsons, Shawn Crawford, Jason Crawford and his wife Jennifer, Dr. Aaron Crawford and his fiancée Dr. Ashley Fee; great-granddaughter, Finley Crawford; sister, Frances Neill of Aransas Pass; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation was Sunday, January 7, 2018 starting at 5:00 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 pm. Mass of the Resurrection was Monday, January 8, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. John Berchmans Catholic Church. Interment followed at San Fernando Cemetery II with military honors and escorted by the Patriot Guard.
Memorials may be made in Martin’s memory to St. Joseph’s Society, 420 E. César E. Chávez, San Antonio, TX 78204 or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.