Gerald Lloyd Martin was born at Grimes, Oklahoma on July 24, 1928 to William Lloyd "Bullie" and Emma Crystal Erwin Martin. He went to his home in Heaven on August 6, 2009 at the age of 81 years and 13 days, in his home at Reydon, Oklahoma.

He had been in treatment for melanoma cancer for over two years.

Gerald started to school at Rankin, Oklahoma. He attended there until the school was moved to the new town of Reydon, where he graduated high school in 1947.

With an emergency permit, Gerald began driving a school bus at the age of 15 during World War II, when most of the older boys went to the service. He drove a school bus all through high school.

During this time he played the bass fiddle in a band in which his father played the violin.

Gerald and Nadia Valeria Parks were married November 30, 1947 in the bride's home northwest of Reydon.

To this union a daughter and three sons were born. After their marriage, they moved to Cheyenne, Oklahoma. They moved to Clinton, Oklahoma where he learned the butcher trade.

Gerald trusted Jesus as his Saviour, was baptized and joined the First Baptist Church in Cheyenne, Oklahoma.

He moved his family of six to Plainview, Texas in 1957 and opened The Home Town Market in 1963 and closed it in 1980. His children all grew up in Plainview.

Gerald was a member of the First Baptist Church, The American Business Club, and the Optimist Club, and was president of the Model A Club in Plainview. In 1994, he drove his 1931 Model A along with club members on a round trip to a convention in Seattle, Washington.

Gerald and Nadia returned to Reydon, Oklahoma in 1995 after all their children were grown. He drove the activity bus for Cheyenne and Reydon schools and enjoyed the children very much.

He was elected Mayor of Reydon in December 1997. He served in this capacity until his death. Many improvements to the town were made while he was Mayor.

He and Nadia joined the First Baptist Church in Cheyenne, Oklahoma in 2000 and he served as chairman of the offertory committee. He was ordained a Deacon in the church in December 2006 and served as Chairman of that body.

Gerald was a Christian man of integrity, humility and was respected by his peers. He loved his family and provided for their every need. His grandchildren called him Grandpa and Papa G.

He is survived by his wife of the home; one daughter, Cheryl Murphree and husband Ray of Houston, Texas; two sons, Dennis of Cushing, Texas and Kenneth and wife Ginger of Hewitt, Texas; six grandchildren, Patrick of Nacogdoches, Texas; Joshua and wife Ami of Cushing, Texas; Marsha and husband, Boe Burres of Waller, Texas; Jason and wife, Paige Murphee of Houston, Texas; Justin Martin of Dallas, Texas; and Randi Martin of Hewitt, Texas; five great grandchildren, Brody and Hannah Burrus, Jacob Martin, Macy and Jean Davis of Mustang, Oklahoma; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, son and daughter-in-law, Randall Craig Martin and Brenda Joyce Martin.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Cheyenne, Oklahoma, Monday, August 10, 2009, with Brother Terrell Romberg officiating.

Burial followed at the Dempsey, Oklahoma Cemetery under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Services of Cheyenne.

Memorial donations honoring Gerald may be made to the Dempsey Cemetery Fund, c/o Security State Bank, Cheyenne, Oklahoma or to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 56, Cheyenne, Oklahoma 73628.

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