Beau Christian Martin, age 48, of Haleburg, AL, formerly of Dothan, passed away early Monday morning, September 22, 2025, at his home. He lost his courageous battle with Stage IV pancreatic and liver cancer diagnosed on Easter 2025.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Haleburg Senior Citizens Building (10347 George H. Grimsley Hwy, Columbia, AL) with his close friend and former coworker, Pastor Derek Womack, officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00–3:00 p.m. A private burial with Fire and EMS honors will take place at Martin River Farm (county road 47, Shorterville, AL). In keeping with Beau’s wishes, the family requests that everyone dress casually—horses and flip flops welcome—as Beau was never one for dressing up.
Beau was born on Thursday, January 20, 1977, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, AL, on his mother’s birthday, to Jerry and Reta Martin and was their only child.
He attended Emmanuel Christian School during his early years before transferring to Ashford Academy, where he graduated in 1995. While in high school, Beau played football, and during his senior year, his team won the state championship, taking home championship rings—an achievement he was always proud of. While in school, he also worked at Ivey & Ivey Farms of Webb.
A life of service defined Beau. He joined the Haleburg Fire Department, Columbia Rescue and Houston County Water Rescue, later beginning his career with the Eufaula Fire Department. Determined to further his education, he attended Wallace Community College in Dothan and Trenholm Technical College in Montgomery, where he earned his Paramedic license and became dual licensed in both Alabama and Georgia. He went on to obtain additional certifications, including CPR, First Aid, and EVOC instructor, as well as rescue diver, high-angle rescue, and forestry preservation training. In 2000, Beau started the Haleburg Rescue Squad. Over his 26-year career, he was recognized many times by the American Heart Association for numerous life saves.
Beau dedicated his career to EMS, working with several agencies across Alabama and Georgia. He also worked at HOPCO as a meat processor.
Outside of his service, Beau was an avid outdoorsman and treasured all of “God’s creatures”as he would say when he was a little boy. He loved hunting, fishing, and living life to the fullest. In his younger years, he enjoyed riding bulls at the rodeo. His happiest moments were spent in the woods teaching his children about the beauty and mysteries of God’s creation, traveling with his family to Cades Cove in Tennessee and the Gulf of America (Mexico); watching his daughter barrel race, and taking his son hunting.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Reta Lynn Kretzler Martin (August 2024); maternal grandparents, Carl D. and Esther M. Balsbaugh Kretzler; paternal grandparents, Raymond M. and Lena Vermell Hall Martin Sheppard; and uncle, Carl Dean Kretzler.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Leigh Vickers Martin; his children, Baileigh Caroline Martin and Peyton Christian Martin; their mother, Amy Sellers Martin Shepard; his father, Jerry R. Martin; his step daughters Hannah Bywater (Devin), Hayley Kirsch (Ty); step- grandchildren Dannon Bywater, Addison Kirsch; mother-in-law Nina Vickers; aunt, Ruth A. Billhimer (Thomas); his uncle, Larry C. Martin (Laura); as well as special family members, Shieba Kelly Kennon (Daniel), Mark Kelly (Gina); Todd Blackman (Catrina), Ben and Traci Armstrong. His partners in EMS that became family Denise Revells and Anthony Wells (Linda). He also leaves behind a host of extended family, devoted friends, and coworkers who will miss him dearly.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Clay Harris, Jamar Ivey, James King, Martie Pearson, Keith Taylor, and Allen Van Slyke.
Honorary pallbearers include Mark Kelly, Todd Blackman, Ben Armstrong, Hugh Clements and the crews from AmeriPro EMS, Early County EMS, and Haleburg Fire and Rescue.
The family would like to thank Dr. Vincent Barker, who served as Beau’s colleague, friend, and personal physician, for the outstanding care he provided.
As a longtime family friend said best, “Beau was an everyday hero, saving one person at a time.”
