John S. Martin, age 72, died on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 in Childress. Services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, October 4, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church of Childress with Rev. Ronnie Shoffner and Lou Ellerbrook officiating. Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday, October 3, 2013 evening from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. John was born on March 26, 1941 in Rison, AR to John Donaldson Martin and Euna Louann Ramsey Martin. He was the eldest of seven siblings. After graduating high school, he joined the Navy and served his country for 8 years. Upon leaving the Navy, he moved to Florida and began working for NASA as a builder and engineer for the Apollo projects. John was instrumental in getting Apollo 11 to the moon. Once NASA made it to the moon, they laid off many employees including John. He got a job at Central Telephone Company in Tallahassee, FL where he met the love of his life, Diane Kincaid. They married soon after and immediately moved to Kerrville, TX. There, he worked as Vice President of the Kerrville Telephone Company. On John and Diane’s fourth anniversary, they received the best anniversary gift ever; the adoption of their only child, Karin. The little family of three were inseparable. Family meant everything to John. John retired from the Kerrville Telephone Company and joined TRC Engineering for several years where he retired again before moving to Louisiana. John and Diane lived in Winnsboro, LA for 10 years before they moved to Childress in 2012, just before the birth of their grandson, Elijah. John was an avid reader. He loved to learn new things, work in his yard, tell stories, and visit with family and friends. His greatest joy was as a husband, father and grandfather. He was an active member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Kerrville and then First United Methodist Church of Winnsboro. He enjoyed going on mission trips and working on local mission projects with the Methodist Men. John loved Jesus and lived out his faith with honor, integrity, and by loving others. He is preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Lifus Wigley; and one brother, Roy Wigley. Survivors include wife, Diane Kincaid Martin of Childress, TX; daughter, Karin Renee Johnson and husband Joshua of Childress, TX; grandson, Elijah Allen Johnson of Childress, TX; brother, Carroll Martin and wife Linda of Malvern, AR; brother, Jim Wigley and wife Trecie of Hot Springs, AR; sister, Paula Damon and husband Coy of Benton, AR; sister, Mary Smith of Hot Springs, AR; sister, Sharon Black and husband Clay of Bismark, AR; sister-in-law Claralene Wigley of Hot Springs, AR; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the CRMC Hospice at Childress Regional Medical Center Hospice PO Box 1030 Childress, TX 79201 or to any church youth group.