Richard E. “Rick” Martin
1955 -2013
Tarkio, Missouri

Richard E. “Rick” Martin was born November 20, 1955 in Maryville, Missouri, to James E and Betty L (Snyder) Martin. Rick passed away at his home on April 9, 2013, after a courageous fight with cancer. His last few days were filled with the loving care of his wife, daughters, family, and friends, and the special care of his Kendallwood Hospice nurses.

Rick grew up in the Tarkio and Fairfax, Missouri, area. He attended school in Tarkio until his freshman year when his family moved to Fairfax, where he graduated high school. Rick was an athlete and during his high school years, he received many conference, district and state honors in football, basketball and track. After graduation, Rick attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. He enjoyed intramural sports and for several years, played softball for George Barnett. After his softball days were over, he enjoyed playing golf with his buddies, especially Duke, Doug and Mike.

On June 19, 1980, he married Trudy Smith and her three daughters became his own. Trudy survives him, along with their girls, Micki Davis, Smithville, Missouri, Heather VanGundy and partner, Mckale Burke, Fairfax, and Summer Pieper and husband, Shawn, Dunlap, Iowa. While the girls were participating in sports, Rick was always in the bleachers supporting them. One of his greatest joys the past 11 years has been being Pappy to his grandchildren, Brock and Baylee Davis, Wyatt Wakely, Braxton Pieper, and Geb Burke. Rick spent countless hours playing catch, pitching baseballs, catching fly balls, reading, snuggling, tickling and playing games with the kids.

Rick worked for Crop Production Services in Westboro, Missouri, for the past 30 years until May of 2012, when he retired due to his health. He covered thousands of acres in Northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa as a commercial applicator.

Rick was a Christian. Along with being a loving husband, dad and Pappy, he was a true and loyal friend, a hard working man and the go-to-guy when a friend or family member needed a helping hand. He will be missed by the many lives that he has touched.

Rick is also survived by his mother, Betty Martin, Maryville, Missouri; his brothers, John (Debbie) Martin, St. Joseph, Missouri, and David (Laura) Martin, Spearfish, South Dakota; his sister, Linda Smith, Liberty, Missouri; sister-in-law, Carol Clark, Rock Port, Missouri; brother-in-law, Scott (Tammy) Smith, Tarkio; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his large circle of friends. Rick was preceded in death by his father, James; his paternal grandparents, Lester and Beulah Martin; his maternal grandparents, Harold and Mildred Snyder; a brother in infancy; father and mother-in-law, Stan and Darlene Smith; and brothers-in-law, Randy Dunkle and Roger Clark.

Memorial Service: 1:00 P.M., Friday, April 12, 2013, First Baptist Church, Tarkio.
A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Open visitation will begin 9:00 A.M., Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, where the family will receive friends that evening from 6:00-7:00 P.M.
Memorials: Fairfax or Tarkio High School Booster Clubs or Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.