Claude Edward Martin, Sr. was born January 13, 1930, near Dustin, to G.R. and Mary (Self) Martin.He died June 10, 2019 at his home near Dustin. Claude attended Wetumka and Graham elementary schools, and attended and graduated from Dustin High School in 1947. He spent his life as a Farmer/Rancher. When he was only 9 years old, he drove the mules, hauling the cotton from the farm to the gin at Dustin during harvest time.
On June 3, 1951, he married Ruth Carol Grover at Driftwood, Okla. They made their home at Dustin throughout their entire marriage. In the early years of their marriage, Claude worked for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company and Ruth worked in various offices in Henryetta. At the time they milked cows before and after work. He also farmed and she did her housewife duties in their “free time”. It wasn’t long, though, until Claude started farming/ranching and milking cows full time. In 1965 he sold the dairy cattle, but continued farming and ranching until 2017, when his health forced him to retire.
Claude was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Josephine Longwith and her husband, Ralph Longwith; and one brother Paul Martin.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of the home; one son, Junior and wife, Nickie of Dustin; two daughters: Paula Baker and husband, Larry, of Moore and Jo Richmond and husband, Walter, of Holdenville; two grandsons: William Richmond and wife, Shelby, of Holdenville and Jacob Martin of Dustin; four granddaughters: Nikita Adkins and husband, Dean, of Weleetka, Kori Trammell and husband, Trey, of Wewoka and Kami and Marli Richmond of Holdenville; one great grandson, R.J. Richmond of Holdenville; and one great-granddaughter, Karli Page of Henryetta; nephew John Longwith and wife, Nancy, of Broken Arrow; bonus granddaughter, Reena Page and husband, James, of Henryetta; bonus great grandchildren: Hannah Shearer and husband, Jonathan, of Glenpool, Rian Page and wife, Julianna, of Henryetta and Claryssa Heneha and husband, Jasto
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the Dustin First Baptist Church with Rev Bob Fowler officiating and Chaplin John Roberts Assisting. Interment will follow at the Dustin Cemetery under the direction of the Rogers Funeral Home.