Obituary for Gary Martin

Gary Dale Martin

June 8, 1943 – August 25, 2020

Gary Dale Martin, resident of Ponca City, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. He was 77 years old. A memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Those wishing to attend the Mass will need to wear a mask. For those unable to attend, there will be a live stream available on the Trout Funeral Home website: www.troutfuneralhome.com Following the memorial Mass, the procession will proceed to City Hall for the tolling of the final bell in honor of a man who spent his entire career serving the citizens of Ponca City, and he will then be laid to rest at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Honorary Casket bearers will be: John Brown, Phillip Tyndall, Craig Stephenson, Homer Nicholson, Rich Cantillon, Jeff Washko and Tom Pardee. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Gary was born on June 8, 1943 in Okemah, Oklahoma to his parents, Carroll Columbus Edward Martin and Viola Nadine (Hain) Martin. Gary graduated from Ponca City High School, Northern Oklahoma College and in 1973, earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Oklahoma State University before beginning his long-time career with the City of Ponca City. He began his career in the Parks and Recreation Department watering plants on Grand Avenue, moving up through the ranks to Park Superintendent, Parks and Recreation Director, and Public Works Director. In 1993, Gary became the City Manager, a position that created a platform for him to use his leadership skills, boundless energy and outgoing personality to lead his employees through many historical, innovative and life changing projects. Too numerous to mention, some of the most notable achievements included successfully passing an unprecedented economic development tax that continues to diversify and grow our local economy; managed the beautiful preservation, renovation and expansion of the No. 1 Fire Station and City Hall; lead our citizens to a successful recovery from the 2002 major ice storm; navigated the challenges of electric deregulation; and guided the city budgets to overcome unfunded federal and state mandates in all areas of city operations. Gary retired as City Manager in 2009 leaving a legacy that will forever be remembered by our citizens with the annual selection of a city employee to receive the Gary D. Martin City Employee of the Year Award. Gary was recognized as an innovative leader by state, national and international organizations, including the American Public Works Association, City Manager Association of Oklahoma and Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials and selected by Northern Oklahoma College Foundation as an Outstanding Alumni. Gary received our state’s highest honor for municipal government employees with the Don Rider Award, given for outstanding contributions on behalf of Municipal Government in the State of Oklahoma.

During his time at the Parks and Recreation Department, Gary met a fellow employee who would steal his heart and become his wife and soulmate for 41 years. Gary and Janet Wilkerson were married on February 2, 1979 and together raised their daughter, Wendy Martin Stobbe. Gary loved to make people laugh, and if you were fortunate to be family or friend, you were most likely a source for his smiles and laughter or a recipient of his famous pranks. Most of his spare time was spent trying to make Janet laugh, or preferably, make others laugh at Janet’s expense. He was the ultimate jokester, prankster and loving husband. Gary and Janet created their most special memory together when they decided to become active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In honor of this journey together, they renewed their wedding vows at St. Mary’s Church on May 20, 2011. Their years together were filled with endless love and laughter as they shared their passion for sailing, full moons, dogs, beaches and turtle doves.

Gary was so proud of his daughter Wendy, and never missed a soccer game, tennis match or hi-stepper routine. He was a loving father who made sure that his daughter felt his love through his presence. He dedicated that same attention and passion to his grandchildren, Samantha and Ethan, supporting them in whatever event they chose to participate. In later years, he could often be found wrestling with his dogs, Darbi and Myka, or snuggled up with them for a nap.

Always having a love for beaches and water, Gary spent many years with his family on their dock at Lake Ponca where he taught many of Wendy’s friends to ski. Along with his first mate, Janet, Gary was an avid sailor of a 25-foot Catalina on Kaw Lake. The family also enjoyed spending time at Grand Lake with friends. The couple enjoyed many years of travel including repeated trips to Cancun, Mazatlan, California and Europe, returning recently from his dream vacation to London, Paris, Scotland and Ireland.

Although Gary Martin certainly created a legacy as a successful employee, loving husband, proud father and passionate grandfather, he will forever be remembered for his faith, his smile and his laughter.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Janet, daughter, Wendy Stobbe and husband, Steve, of Ponca City, granddaughter, Samantha Stobbe of Ponca City, grandson, Ethan Stobbe of Ponca City, sister, Joveda Neal and husband, Roy of Pawhuska, and sister-in-law Connie King of Lakewood, Wisconsin.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gary’s honor to the Ponca City Humane Society or St. Mary’s Catholic School.

Source: Trout Funeral Home