Donald Eugene "Gene" Martin was born on February 4 ^th , 1935 to Earl Jennings and Celia Ann Owen Martin in Dighton, Kansas.  He passed away at home in Anthony, Kansas on December 9 ^th , 2022 at the age of 87.

Although Gene was born in Dighton, his family moved to Cherryvale at a very young age.  He grew up in Cherryvale, helping his uncle with a milk route, and later with the filling station that his parents owned.  He attended Cherryvale schools, playing high school football for the Fighting Cherries, where they went 9-0 in his senior year.  Many members from that team became lifelong friends.  He graduated from Cherryvale High School in 1954.

After graduating from high school, he joined the National Guard, and served honorably for 2 years in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.  He met Shirley Tramba Pierce in 1957.  After their first date to a drive-in, he knew they were meant to be.  They married in 1958 in Cherryvale.  At the time of his passing, they were married for 64 years.  To this union two daughters, Carol and Jo Lynn, were born.

In his early years, he was a truck driver for Ruan Transportation, often responsible for training the new employees.  He always enjoyed sharing stories from his trucking days.  After transferring to Ankeny, Iowa, and later Davenport, Iowa as a manager with Ruan, the family moved to Anthony, Kansas in 1974, where they purchased a propane business.  He was fondly known as "The Gas Man".  Gene and Shirley ran this business until their retirement in 1997.

Gene and Shirley loved traveling on their Honda Goldwing motorcycle.  They took frequent trips to New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and even as far away as Idaho and Canada.  He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge and of the Goldwing Shriners Unit. They would travel to participate in parades, as well as to compete in competitions as part of the unit.  He also enjoyed going to coffee a couple times a day with his circle of friends.  The place may have changed over the years, but their friendship never waned.

Gene was the most proud of his family, especially his grandkids.  He enjoyed sharing his knowledge, love of hunting, or just tinkering around with them.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents.  He will be greatly missed by his wife, Shirley, his daughters Carol McMullin of Wichita and Jo Lynn Pierce (Derek) of Valley Center, his grandchildren Aaron McMullin (Melissa), Alyssa McMullin, Reed Pierce & Elizabeth Pierce, and two great-grandchildren, Madison McMullin and Camden McMullin.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony with Larry Dean Olds Jr officiating.  Burial will follow in Forest Park Cemetery, Anthony.

Friends may view and sign the register 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Prairie Rose in Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Gene may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.