Dr. John L. Martin
1937 – 2024
John Martin was born in Gainesville, Arkansas, on June 22, 1937, to Leonard and Marie Martin. They moved to Cache Lake, Arkansas, where John attended elementary school. John graduated high school in 1955 from Alfalfa High School in Alfalfa, Oklahoma, attended Southwestern State University Weatherford, Oklahoma, graduating in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. From there he received his master’s degree in mathematics from Rutgers University in 1962 and finally a Doctorate degree from Oklahoma State University in 1969!
Dr. John had a distinguished career. Following college, he taught high school mathematics in Colorado and Oklahoma. In 1964, he accepted his first superintendent’s position in the Weaver Public Schools District in Frederick, Oklahoma. He was business manager of Stillwater Public Schools from 1966 to 1969 and served as assistant superintendent of the Woodward Public Schools from 1969 to 1971. He was superintendent of Sapulpa Public Schools from 1971 to 1979. He was superintendent of Capital Vo-Tech School in Muskogee, Oklahoma and served in this position until becoming CEO/Superintendent of Southwest Technology Center in Altus, Oklahoma.
John had a tremendous leadership and entrepreneurial influence on the technology center system in Oklahoma, serving on the State of Oklahoma Vocational-Technical Board of Education for 14 years. Concurrently, John served for 10 years on the board of directors of the Ft. Gibson Bank, Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma and served on the advisory board of the National Bank of Commerce, Altus, Oklahoma. John was actively involved in entrepreneurial ventures, and served in leadership roles in School Administration, Chambers, Rotary Clubs, national and state vocational associations, and Small Business Councils. Throughout life, he was an accomplished businessman and professional.
John is survived by his daughter Cammi Misner and husband Kelvin of Sapulpa. He is survived by his son Mark Martin and wife Kim of Ft. Gibson, and stepson Todd Rogers and wife Cindy of Edmond. John’s grandsons are Kenner Misner and wife Jamie of Tulsa, Carson Misner and partner Eric Baker of OKC, Kramer Misner of Sapulpa, Seth Martin and wife Cailey of Broken Arrow, and Reece Rogers, Edmond. Great granddaughters Margot, Juliette, Alice, Sylvia Misner and Palmer Martin, coming soon. John was preceded in death by brothers Winston, Erwin, Gerald, Bill, and sisters Evelyn Smithson. Surviving Sister Shirley Bennett of Rogers, Ar., Sister-in-law Patty Martin of Opelika, Al., Brother-in-law Bobby Todd and wife Susan of Conyers, Ga.
John married Kay Rogers and they shared a life full of love and adventure for almost 30 years. It is with a heavy heart we hand John over to his next life but are happy with the knowledge that he brings laughter and love to his new heavenly home. We are encouraged by his idea that nothing truly vanishes but instead transforms and manifests in different ways. John would remind us not to dwell on our losses but to trust that life is an ever-changing cycle of renewal.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation to the Southwest Technology Center Foundation, Altus, Oklahoma.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Mathews Funeral Home, Edmond, Oklahoma, on April 26, 2024, at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but are not able to. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.
He was an administrator who seeked understanding before he made decisions. Then he made compassionate resolutions. I always appreciated that about him. He and his wife, Kay, made a great team.
We got to know John through Kay and truly enjoyed our time with them. You could tell how much they loved each other by just watching them. We loved John’s story about the first time he took Kay out on a jet ski. It was almost sundown and when John saw the beautiful sunset, he decided to stop the jet ski so they could watch the sun go down. John said he thought it would be very romantic. Unfortunately, John was not that experienced with a jet ski and forgot you needed to keep it moving. Of course, when they stopped, the jet ski tipped over. So, with it getting dark Kay and John were trying to figure out how to get back on the jet ski and get moving. They eventually did so and just loved telling that story. John was a very good man, and he will be missed.
Rick and Emily Sullivan
You have made it home John! Your work on this side is complete. A service well done. Rest in peace. God bless the family through this difficult time, and strengthen their hearts with the love and memories of John for the challenging days ahead.
Sharing in your sorrow,
Charles and Rosie Moton
I was fortunate to count John as a friend and to share good times and travels with John and Kay. John was the quintessential “scholar and a gentleman”. A life well and joyfully lived. Be at peace in light perpetual, my friend!