Martin David Stryer

1915 - 2005

Martin David Stryer, 90, a retired retailer, died Thursday, June 2, 2005, at a local hospital.

Graveside service: 1 p.m. Sunday in the Beth-El section of Greenwood Memorial Park. Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger will officiate.

Memorials: Should friends desire, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association or Beth-El Congregation.

Martin David, the son of Louis and Sarah Stern Stryer, was born Feb. 13, 1915, in Lynn, Mass. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific theater, where he received a Purple Heart. Following his service, he married his beloved Rhoda in 1945. Shortly after he married, he opened his first Martin's 5 & 10. This was to be the first of many. In 1959, he helped open the first discount store in Fort Worth and helped to change the "blue law." Martin was the epitome of the "Greatest Generation." He loved and honored his family and country. He had a work ethic rarely seen today. People described him as a "sweetheart." He never had a bad word to say about anyone. Although he was a man of few words, people looked up to him and considered him a leader.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Goldie, Freda, Mac and, his identical twin brother, Milton.

Survivors: Wife of 59 years, Rhoda Stryer; daughters, Fredi Stryer and Debbie Levine and her husband, Larry, all of Fort Worth; sister, Edith "Toots" Goldstein of New Hampshire; and his favorite dogs, Alex and Corbie, and granddogs, Penny, Shana and Jake; and several nieces and nephews.