Gary Thomas Martin

Lakeland - Gary T. Martin, 74 passed away May 2, 2018 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, Florida. Gary was born March 19, 1944 to Vera and Gerald Martin in Ottumwa, Iowa. He graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1963. At age 19, Gary began his long career with Sutherland Lumber Company in Ottumwa. He retired in 2014 after working there for 50 years. Jane, his loving wife of 54 years was by his side at the time of his passing. Their life together took them many places, including Sedalia and Joplin, MO; Ft. Worth, TX; Tulsa, OK; and then retiring to Lakeland, FL. Gary and Jane were blessed with two loving children, Randy (Pam) Martin and Rita Jo (Tom) Long of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also surviving are his sisters, Jerry (Don) Bankson and Marcia Weeks of Ottumwa, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Beverly Orman and brother, Joseph Martin. A gathering with friends and neighbors will be held Sunday, May 6th at 2 pm in the Schalamar Creek Clubhouse, Lakeland, Florida. There will also be a celebration of life service in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Floral Haven Funeral Home on Sunday, June 3rd at 2 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Moffitt Cancer Research Center, moffitt.org/giving.