Paul R. Martin Sr.

Paul Richard Martin Sr. of Phoenix, Arizona passed away peacefully at home on May 4, 2022, at the ripe old age of 102. As a centenarian, he experienced and survived two pandemics and was still enjoying listening to his beloved Western novels and watching the news until his rapid decline. Many of his family members were able to be at his side to bid him farewell as he passed on or as he described it, “crossed the river.” The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers from Hospice of the Valley whose support in his last days brought so much comfort.

Paul was born on September 23, 1919, in Coalton, Oklahoma to Robert and Hattie Martin. He graduated from Schulter High School in Oklahoma, where he played football and enjoyed his many friends. Even though he later experienced the heartbreak of his wives preceding him in death, he believed in love and remarried. He considered himself a lucky man to have had three “wonderful women” during his long life. Paul and his first wife, Faye, had two sons, Paul (Jill) Martin Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Larry (Karen) Martin, of Phoenix, Arizona, both of whom survive him. His second wife Phyllis preceded him in death. Her daughter Jayne (Wayne) Nelson of St. Paul Minnesota survives him. His third wife Cathy who also preceded him in death had two children who also survive, Carrie (Mike) Padgett of Atlanta, Georgia and Ron (Liz) Fallon of Christoval, Texas. As a result of these blended families, Paul also had many loving children to whom he was Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, and Great- Great-Grandpa.

Paul was an accomplished skeet shooting champion, hunter, and entrepreneur. Although he could not serve in World War II due to hearing loss, he worked for Boeing to support the war effort. He moved his young family to Colorado from Oklahoma due to Paul Jr.’s asthma, but as he later revealed, he was also lured by the excellent hunting and fishing. He started the first smorgasbord restaurant in Colorado Springs, CO. The Café De Ville became so successful that he opened a second location in Manitou Springs, CO to serve the long lines of tourists who spread the word about the delicious fare. He enjoyed good food, dancing, and fishing at his cabin at Lake George Co. He was a Shriner and was very proud of his participation in the Drum Corp. He moved to Arizona after marrying Kathy and lived there happily for many years. He especially valued his friends from the Sun Valley Church of Christ in Mesa AZ.

There will be cremation and no services at Paul’s direction. However, please feel to donate to The Shriners Hospital (https://loveto the rescue.org) in his memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/phoenix for the Martin family.