John Stewart Martin

John Stewart Martin, lifelong Okmulgee resident and businessman, died Saturday, September 21, 2013 in Okmulgee. He was 75 years of age. John was born July 4, 1938 in Okmulgee to the late Stewart Erwin and Helen (Phelen) Martin. John graduated from Okmulgee High School and attended Oklahoma A & M College. He then went to work for International Harvester Company. John returned to Okmulgee in 1961 to join his father in the family business. He also founded the JHS Ranch at this time. John owned and operated Stewart Martin until his retirement in 2008. Upon retirement, he built a shop and began his dream of restoring a 1947 8-N Ford Tractor. In addition to the tractor project, he spent many hours planning and building a deck, pergola, and native stone waterfall. John founded and was on the Advisory Board of the Southwestern Association Program at OSU-IT. He was also a member of the Southwestern Association as well as the Southwest Hardware and Implement Association, where he served as President. He was a member of the Jaycees as a young businessman and had served on the Junior Chamber International Senate. John served on the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority and on the Advisory Board of the First National Bank and Trust of Okmulgee. He was a Lifetime Member of the Okmulgee Elk’s Lodge. John was a member of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team of Oklahoma-Chainsaw Division. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Okmulgee. He also enjoyed being involved with the Okmulgee Humane Society. John was always willing to do any job that needed to be done. John was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Lori Sue. Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Elaine (Johnson) Martin, of the home, sons, David Martin and wife Dana of Okmulgee and Bill Martin and wife Marilyn of McMinnville, Tennessee, step-children, Jamie Pelton and husband Basil of Owasso and Brent Rhinehart and wife Lisa of Oklahoma City, grandchildren, Michael Martin of Okmulgee, John Martin and wife Krystal of Okmulgee, Sarah Martin of Okmulgee, Stewart Martin of McMinnville, Tennessee, Allison Martin of McMinnville, Tennessee, Britni Worley and husband Justin of Tulsa, Kensie Rhinehart of Oklahoma City, Vanessa Pelton of Owasso and Jasmine Lansdowne of Owasso, and great grandchildren, Makenzie, Shyanne, Landon, Kaylee, Miranda, Jaxson and Jacie. A funeral service to celebrate John’s life will be held 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Dennis Taylor and Reverend Jerry Fielder officiating. Interment will follow in the Okmulgee Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Duaine Janzen, Kyle Powell, Terry Bemis, Nevyle Cable, Fred Harlan, Kyle Mathis, Joey Newton and Bill Paterson. Honorary Casketbearers will be Glenn Campbell, Jim Norris, Bob Coyle and Dave McClure. Friends may visit he funeral home from 2:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Tuesday. Arrangements are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee.

John Stewart Martin

July 4, 1938 - September 21, 2013