Surrounded by his family, retired Lt. Col. Ronald "Ron" Dale Martin, 73, of Topeka, passed away peacefully at home Aug. 23, 2021.
Born May 22, 1948, at his Grandma Baker’s home in Hooker, Oklahoma, he was a lifelong Oklahoma Sooners fan. He spent many weekends and nights rooting for his favorite teams, including the Chiefs and Royals.
He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Guymon, Oklahoma, and eventually became sergeant first class and senior drill sergeant. He spent his time training soldiers in Fort Polk, Louisiana, prepping many of them for combat in Vietnam.
He eventually attended Officer Candidate School and became an artillery officer for the Kansas Army National Guard. He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel and retired after serving 37 years.
Once he retired, as much as he loved keeping the house clean and making the beds, he decided to go back to work for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, writing grants for disaster-stricken communities.
Once he finally decided to fully retire, he spent his free time with his large, perfectly blended, loving family. He enjoyed playing games (as long as the boys were winning, aka him) and joking with others in the most caring way. Always a child at heart, he loved sharing late night snacks, big hugs, and practical jokes with his children and grandchildren who he dearly loved.
He loved to travel, read and share his Civil War knowledge with others. He opened his home and heart to more children through the foreign exchange student program and foster children.
He was a member of the board of directors for the Salvation Army in Dodge City. In Topeka, he volunteered with Harvesters food bank. He loved all of his family fiercely and deeply without exception. Most of all, he loved being a dad.
He is preceded in death by his father, World War II veteran Henry O Martin; his mother Decla Josephine Baker-Martin; his siblings Linda K Martin, Robert Sturdivan, Virginia Wester, Betty Line, and Doris Townsend.
He is survived by his loving wife, Tina Martin, as well as his children Andrew Martin (Sara), Ashley Ott (Brandon), Brittany Weber (Ryan), Catie Martin (Josh), Julie Lang, Jennifer Martin-Renter (Chris), Roger Martin (Trisa), and Lori Martin, plus grandchildren Sutton, Riley, Vivienne, Ben, Bella, Nicholas, Hannah, Aubrey, Jillian, Adrianna, Corin, and Taylor. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Gorham, and many nieces and nephews.
The wake will be held at the home of Ron and Tina Martin on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 28 at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Ozawkie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to Harvesters and sent in care Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603. https://www.brennanmathenafh.com/obituary/ronald-ron-martin