Jess Lee Martin

Jess Lee Martin, 91, of Dodge City, Kansas, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 4, 2022, at Delmar Gardens of Lenexa, Kansas, with his daughter and son-in-law by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 9, 2022, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.

Graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Saint James City Cemetery, Saint James, Missouri with military honors by Fort Leonard Wood Honor Guard, St. Robert, Missouri.

Jess was born November 23, 1930, at Blackburn, Oklahoma, the son of Troy Benjamin and Blanche Della (Cochran) Martin.

He lived in Dodge City, Kansas from the late 1970’s until 2007, moving to Carbondale, Kansas, until moving to Lenexa, Kansas.

He earned his General Educational Development Diploma.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War, from January 16, 1952 until December 3, 1953, attaining the rank of Sergeant and receiving the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

On December 23, 1961, Jess was united in marriage with Judith Marilyn Moreland at Salem, Arkansas. She preceded him in death on May 13, 1994. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Blanche Martin; sisters, Thelma May Martin, Sue Craig, Katherine Basinger, and Roseann Jordon; brothers, Lester P. Martin and George H. Martin and a granddaughter.

Jess worked as a horse groomer and ranch hand, from the time he was six years old until the late 1960’s and later worked twenty-plus years for Walmart, retiring in 2018.

He was a former member of the Living Waters Church and served as door greeter and assistant to Pastor Siah Edwards in Dodge City, Kansas.

Jess loved his family and enjoyed the time they spent together. He enjoyed reading the Bible, Bible studies, fishing, hunting, horses, and watching old westerns and sports.

Jess is survived by his daughters, Deborah Skinner of West Plains, Missouri and Denise Ring and her husband, Tim of Vassar, Kansas; sister, Deloris Johnson of Alton, Arkansas; brother, Robert Martin of Phillipsburg, Missouri; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.