Richard Martin

Richard “Dick” Martin passed away peacefully on August 23rd, 2024 in Mason, Ohio surrounded by his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. 

Dick was born on August 3rd, 1943 in Carthage, Missouri to parents Connie Edward Martin, Eva Evelyn Lynch, and Step-Father George Graves. He grew up in Carthage where he met the love of his life, Gloria in the summer of 1960. They were married on August 4th, 1962 and had two children, Tracy Lynette Mays (Martin) and Richard William Martin Jr. 

Dick spent his career in the mattress spring manufacturing business which led him to moving his family to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1972 to become the Director of Manufacturing for Leggett & Platt where he stayed until his retirement in 2006. Dick was also a life-long member of the Masonic Lodge.

Dick loved the outdoors and spent as much time outside as possible. He loved sports. He grew up playing football, basketball, and baseball, and he passed that love of sports onto his kids. If he wasn't coaching his kids sports teams, he made sure to show up to every game to support them. When his 4 grandchildren started playing sports, he made sure to attend as many games as possible, even traveling out of state to attend various tournaments. 

Dick was a man of many talents but it was his character that set him apart from all others. 

Dick was hard-working in a way that only a man born to the humblest of beginnings could be. He was a self-reliant man that led a life rich with experience, skill, and love. 

He was never the tallest man in any room but he carried himself as if he was. He was a force of nature that earned the respect of anyone he met without having to ask for it. 

He was the kind of leader that wouldn't just shout commands from the sidelines, but stand in the trenches with you when things got hard. 

He was a man that showed up. Not just for the big moments in your life like weddings, birthdays, and graduations, but for the small moments. He was there to celebrate your triumphs, and lend you strength when you felt weak.

He was a man that loved his wife immensely. He was wholly devoted to her and even when Alzheimer's stole his mind from us, Gloria was the one person he held onto until his final days. 

Above all, Dick was a man that loved his family fiercely. He was the knot that held the fabric of our family together and we will carry his love with us for the rest of our days. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Connie Martin, Eva Lynch, and George Graves. As well as his siblings, James Martin, Betty Russow, and Dolores Sheets.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Gloria Martin, and children, Tracy Mays (Jason Mays), and Dick Martin Jr. (Suzanne Martin). His grandchildren, Rick Martin III (Margie Martin), Shannon Mays, Justin Mays, and Clark Martin; and one great-grandson, George Foster Martin. He has one half brother, Gary Graves.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in Dick’s name. 

There will not be an official service, but a private burial with family only. After the burial there will be a celebration of life at his daughter, Tracy Mays’ house on Saturday, August 31st from 2-4pm. Please reach out to his granddaughter, Shannon Mays for more details if you would like to attend.