Dr. Thomas Martin

Dr. Thomas Wilson Martin, age 89, of rural Lamar, passed away Friday, October 4, 2013 at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Thomas was born March 12, 1924 at Lamar, to Ralph and Lorene "Sis" (Wills) Martin.  He entered in the U.S. Army during WWII, was wounded by shrapnel while serving in Germany and was awarded a purple heart.   After earning a doctoral degree in veterinary science from Kansas State University in 1962, Thomas owned and operated a veterinary clinic in Quinter Kansas, specializing in large animals and farm medicine. His passion was horses, and he continually engineered a genetic breeding program that he had developed in 1954.   In 1972 he accepted a USDA position as veterinarian in charge of three plants in the Greenville, Texas area where he worked for 25 years, retiring in 1995.  Moving back to Barton County in 1996, Dr. Martin enjoyed his horses, was always ready for the challenge of a chess game, and finally had time to foster his artistic talent by painting.  He was an avid reader, a bible scholar and an active member of Lamar Church of Christ.      On March 12, 1955, at Merriam, Kansas, Thomas married Helen Mae Janssens and they had celebrated 50 years together before her death May 7, 2005.  He was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Bruce Martin and Kent Martin; and a granddaughter, Lorene Nance.      Survivors include a son, Thomas W. Martin, Jr. of Jerico Springs; two daughters, Dr. Christine Martin, Lamar, and Marilyn Nance, Sheldon; a brother, Gene Martin of Queen's Creek, Arizona; a sister, Lorene "Sis" York, Harvard, Illinois; six grandchildren, Lewin Nance, Gunner Knight, Michael Knight, Heather Anderson, Shelby Martin, and Shayne Martin; four great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.      A memorial service with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 4, 2013 at Lamar Church of Christ with Ervin Hill officiating.