Donald Leo Martin

Rosary and visitation will be 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 13, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with the Rev. Josef Vollmer-Konig officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Hill Funeral Home. Reception will follow the burial at St Patrick Catholic Church parish hall.

Don Martin was born in Salina, Kansas, to Peter and Kathleen Martin on March 8, 1935. He graduated from Sacred Heart in Salina, Kansas, and Regis University in Denver, Colorado, with a bachelor’s degree in business. He was the top national salesman for a large corporation before becoming a general contractor. He married Gerri Cirone Martin on July 29, 1956, in Dallas, Texas.

He was dedicated to the mission of Montserrat Retreat House through many years of service on their board. He also served on the building committee of St. Patrick Parish for many years, playing a key role in the building of the new church. He had an active recovery ministry, serving as a sponsor and mentor to many men. An active storyteller, Don was often referred to as “Google.com” and remembered every joke he was ever told. He was famous for many sayings that constantly come to mind to those who know him, including “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

Don was a giver and performed many acts of kindness to others, mostly in secret. His words of wisdom and advice helped many others launch careers and make tough decisions in life. From a young age until his last breath, he was a strong person of faith. He had an inquisitive mind, was widely read, and greatly enjoyed traveling throughout the world with Gerri. He loved his Dallas Cowboys and other sports teams.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Kathleen; his sister, Mary; his brothers, Gene, Rob, Tom and Mike; and his grandson, Jeffrey Jenneman.

Don Martin is survived by his wife, Gerri; children, Colleen Hillier, Jean Winslett, Lisa Jenneman and husband, Tom, Mike Martin and wife, Nellie, and Maureen Jamieson-Quilling and husband, Mike; sisters, Alice Vogelsberg, Frances Holman; his brother, James Martin; grandchildren, James Jenneman, Jenni Hoffman, Ashley Sharp, Frankie Hillier, Georgie Hillier, Laurie Tomlinson, Don Martin, Mike Martin, Emmett Jamieson and Eileen Jamieson; great-grandchildren, Allie and Callan Tomlinson, Russell and William Sharp and Josie Hoffman. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Pallbearers will include grandsons, James Jenneman, Don Martin, Mike Martin, Emmett Jamieson, Jef Tomlinson, David Hoffman, and Rusty Sharp.

The family of Don Martin wishes to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Glenn Burnett, Dr. Wall, Dr. Kowalski, Dr. Ricky Hanks and all of the nurses and medical professionals who provided such good care.