WILSON-LITTLE FUNERAL HOME

PURCELL-NEWCASTLE, MCCLAIN CO, OK

(permission granted)

Thomas Edward Martin passed from this life on January 1, 2015 at his home in Wayne, OK. He was born July 14, 1939 in Great Bend, Kansas to John Andrew and Leila Bearl (Terry) Martin. As his dad was in the oil field business, the family moved around often. He attended schools in Riverton, Wyoming and Gainesville, Texas and then graduated in1957 from Norman High School. He then attended college at Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Pawhuska, OK. After leaving college and roughnecking for a short time, Tom entered the work field as an employee with Industrial Oil Field Supply in Farmington, New Mexico. It was while he was in Farmington that he met Frankie Geneiva Simmons. They married March 11, 1960. They then moved to Oklahoma and after a short stay in Bethany, they settled in Norman. Tom and Frankie had two sons, Stanford and Daniel.

Tom worked for John Roberts Class Ring Manufacturing Company for 11 years. He was foreman of the Wax Department. When the company moved to Austin, Texas, Tom worked some for a couple of other class ring manufacturers and then began working for the City of Norman in 1974 in the Water/Sewer Division. He began as Line Maintenance and progressed through the steps to become Maintenance Foreman in 1984 and he went on to be promoted to Crew Chief in July of 1993. In March of 1992, Tom received a Most Valuable Employee Award for his knowledge and alertness in a possible dangerous gas leak. He was with the City for 25 years and retired in 2000.

Tom and family moved to Wayne, Oklahoma in 1974. Frankie taught high school and both boys graduated from Wayne. Tom and Frankie are members of the Wayne Church of Christ. Tom loved to bowl and play golf . He coached his boy’s teams in baseball and basketball in little league. He enjoyed trips to the mountains every year and occupied his retirement time keeping his home grounds looking great. He would just as soon mow and pull weeds as anything else.

Tom was preceded in death by: His father and mother: His sister, Johnnie May (Martin) Coates and a Brother, Elmer Lee Martin.

Tom is survived by: His wife, Frankie of the home; Son, Stan and wife Andrea (Anderson) Martin and their children, Sam and Joe Martin, Son: Danny and wife Debbie (Layton) Martin and his children, Jessica (Martin) Kumfer and husband Brian and children, Landon and Laiken; Jamie Martin & children Jayden & Matthew; Christina Martin; Also joining the family is Tommy and Kandi Miller and children, Hailey, Trestin and Kolton Miller, and Dylan and Shaeli Summers. Tom is survived by 3 nieces and 5 nephews along with 7 great nieces, 6 great nephews and 12 great-great nieces-nephews.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 5, 2015 at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home of Purcell. Send online condolences @wilsonlittle.com