Kenneth Eugene "Buster" Martin
Feb 1, 1930 - Nov 13, 2017
Posted by: Ann Weber

BILLINGS FUNERAL HOME
WOODWARD, WOODWARD CO, OK
(permission granted)

Kenneth E. “Buster” Martin, 87 year old longtime owner of Diamond Services, died Monday, November 13, 2017 at his home in Woodward.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2017 at the Woodward Church of Christ. Interment will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Greenhill Cemetery in Davis, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.

Kenneth Eugene Martin was born in a country home in southern Oklahoma on February 1,… 1930. His parents were Lester and Ethel Martin who lived west of Davis, Oklahoma, near the small community of Pooleville.

Buster grew up on the farm in southern Oklahoma and attended school at Fox. During his high school years, he worked as a skate boy at the skating rink at Turner Falls Park. There he met a cute and spunky blonde from Davis by the name of Joy Pullen.

He graduated from Fox High School in 1947 and soon after went to work as a rig hand for Noble Drilling Company.

In 1950, he received a letter from the United States Government and was drafted into the Army. Buster was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during his service in the Korean War conflict.

He returned home to Davis in 1952, and rejoined Noble Drilling and then soon after married his life partner and wife Evelyn “Joy” Martin. Buster eventually gained the position of tool pusher, then drilling superintendent with Noble, which caused them to routinely relocate their “Home on Wheels” to many towns throughout Oklahoma and Texas, before eventually calling Woodward their home.

In 1967, he left Noble Drilling for the opportunity to become a partner in an existing oil field construction company with a long time friend by the name of Nick Nichols, Jr. This company was called Diamond Construction Company, which eventually became Diamond Services Company.

In 1982, Buster purchased Mr. Nichols portion of the company and became its President and Chief Executive Officer and then eventually its Chairman, which he remained as until his death.

Buster also had a loved and passion for raising cattle and farming, of which he did up until only a few years ago when his health would no longer allow. However, Buster’s most enjoyable times were those he spent with his family. He was especially fond of creating precious memories with each of his grandchildren; Lexi, Zaxlee, Finn, and Roland. He also shared special times with his great-grandson, Jett.

Buster and Joy were both long time members of the Woodward Church of Christ family.

Buster was preceded in death by his mother and father, two sisters; Lois Roach and Captola Cox, his wife, Joy and a son, Kenneth “Kenny” Jr.

He is survived by one son, Kerry Martin and wife, Amber of Edmond; one daughter, Misty Foreman and husband Rick of Woodward; one brother, Jim Martin and wife Karen of Woodward; four grandchildren, Lexi Richardson and husband Josh of Edmond; Zaxlee Martin of Stillwater; Kenneth Finn Martin of Edmond and Roland Foreman of Woodward; one great-grandchild, Jett Richardson of Edmond.

The Martin family wishes to extend their most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the following ladies who took such great care of our Dad and Papa over the past several years which allowed him to stay comfortably in his home: Gayle Beauchamp, Tina Whitworth, Belinda Warde, Brenda Hughes, Stacie Ward, Tara Price, Ellen Hunter, Kim Garcia, Carolyn Chase, Jodi Jones, Patti Crow, Kristi West, and Patti Miramontes.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Alzheimer’s Research with the funeral home accepting the contributions.

Thank You For Your Service!