Harrell Eugene Martin

© Enid News and Eagle

01-01-2015

Submitted by: Glenn

© Enid News and Eagle

Harrell Eugene "Gene" Martin passed from this life on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Branson, Mo., from natural causes at the age of 88. Gene Martin was born July 3, 1926, in Anson, Texas, to Jeffrey Killorine Martin and Willie Murtice (Ashley) Martin.

During the Great Depression, they moved to Bakersfield, Calif., where his father worked in the oil fields. While in Bakersfield, Gene met a lovely young lady by the name of Lois Georgene Cox at church.

After serving in the Army in the Philippines, he returned to Bakersfield, where they were united in Holy Matrimony on Feb. 2, 1947. To this union were born three daughters, Teresa, Gerene (Renie) and Beverly.

In 1955, they moved to Oklahoma, where they made their home in Enid for 35 years. They were faithful members of Garriott Road Church of Christ, where Gene was a deacon for many years.

Gene owned and operated Martin's Rat Hole Drilling for 53 years. Rat hole drilling was his passion, and he pioneered the portable rat hole drilling rig operation in Oklahoma, with branch offices in Texas and Mississippi. His three main offices were in Enid, Watonga and Woodward, Okla., where he owned nine rigs and employed 35 people during the oil boom in the '60s, '70s and '80s.

In 1989, Gene and Georgene semi-retired to their country retreat, southwest of Watonga, affectionately known as "The Pond."

They became members of Watonga Church of Christ during this time. Georgene passed away in 1994.

On Dec. 6, 2000, Gene married Virginia Nicholson. They made their home in Wewoka, where they were members of Wewoka Church of Christ.

Because of health related issues, Gene moved to Branson in 2012, to be cared for by his daughters. Gene was a very generous, loving man of faith and humor. He loved his God, his family and his business. He loved playing the domino game 42 and telling a good joke.

He was the best father, grandfather and friend anyone could ask for.

Gene is survived by his wife, Virginia of Broken Arrow, Okla., three daughters, five grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild: Teresa (Martin) DeVisser of Branson, Mo., and her family Lisa (Weyerts) Pogue and her children, Ashley McGhee and her son Carter, Tanner McGhee and Austin McGhee of New Braunfels, Texas, and Case and Hillary DeVisser and their children Kate and Livy of Harrisburg, Ill., Gerene "Renie" (Martin) Jordan of Branson, Mo., and her family Angie (Hatfield) Koechel and Keith and their children Kalin and Hayden of Enid; Jennifer (Hatfield) Teague and Andy and their children Tyson, Garrett, Kobe and Camden of Kansas, Okla.; Jeff Hatfield and his children Emma and Katie of Enid; Beverly (Martin) Glaze and Terrell (whom he claimed as his own son) of Enid, Okla.; stepdaughter, Marcia (Nicholson) Henderson and Don and their sons Chris and Jeff of Broken Arrow, Okla.; stepson, Curt Nicholson of Texas; and many other wonderful family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Georgene, his parents, six brothers, one sister and two great-grandsons.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home in Enid, Okla. Family visiting hours will be 5-6 p.m. today, Jan. 1.

Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

(Submitted by family)

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