Gary Lynn Martin, age 72 of Joplin, Mo., entered into rest early Friday, July 23, 2010, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin.
Gary was born on July 6, 1938 ,in Bristow, Okla., the son of Balfrey and Lucille (Wilson) Martin. He worked in the insurance industry for Crawford & Company, Preferred Risk, Grain Dealers Mutual and Tri-State Motors. After retiring he owned his own route for Voortman Cookies Limited. Gary attended Carthage Church of the Nazarene. He served as Executive Director of the Joplin District Nazarene Layman’s Retreat for 32 years. He was a member of Gideons International and was active in Little League, USA Baseball, Boys and Girls Club, Girl Scouts and MO-KAN Boy Scouts. Gary was a very active member of the community and involved in numerous organizations.
He married Connie Sue Turner on Jan. 30, 1965, in Springfield, Mo. She survives. Additional survivors include two sons, Jonathan Martin, and wife Sara, and Lance Martin and wife Erin; one daughter, Teresa Martin, all of Joplin; one brother, Alan Martin of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and two sisters, Ruth Ann Odom of Moore, Okla., and Darla Esker of Oklahoma City, Okla.
Funeral services have been scheduled for Monday, July 26, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Carthage Church of the Nazarene at Grand and Fairview in Carthage, Mo. Reverend Dustin Ledford, Dr. B.J. Garber and Dr. L.D. Holmes will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Webb City, Mo. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 25, 2010, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Chapel.
