Gary Martin, who managed Martin’s Restaurant for more than 40 years, died at his home in Lampasas on Oct. 24, 2021.
A graveside service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.
Gary was born in Marble Falls on May 26, 1936 to Delbert James Martin and Stella Eloise Alderson Martin. The family moved to Lampasas in 1942.
Gary lived in Lampasas most of his life and graduated from Lampasas High School in 1954. He served in the United States Air Force from 1955 through 1959.
He managed Wyatt's cafeterias in Dallas and San Antonio before returning to Lampasas in 1965 to help run the family’s restaurant on Key Avenue.
Gary married Bennie Jane Lang on Feb. 14, 1959 in Lampasas. They owned and operated Martin's Restaurant until 2005, when the property became Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant. Since the sale of the restaurant, Gary often was the first customer daily at the Country Kitchen.
Gary also was one of the founding members of the Lampasas Spring Ho Festival in 1972. He served on the festival committee for seven years and continued to be a supporter of Spring Ho and the community.
He was a past member of the Kiwanis Club of Lampasas, the Highland Lakes Tourism Committee, served on the Lampasas City Council, and was a member of and later president of the Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce.
Gary enjoyed doing things for others. He and Bennie took their girls on many vacations with friends and their families. They traveled with friends to Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana and Las Vegas often. They also spent many years with friends on opening deer season weekend in Sipe Springs, Texas.
Gary and his wife played bridge weekly since 1970, and monthly with their bridge group until just a few years ago. He enjoyed going to the ranch and riding around there with his grandchildren, working with his tractor, going on hunting trips, and playing dominoes and cards with friends and family.
Gary loved telling stories and enjoyed entertaining – whether by hunting, cooking, hosting fish fries or spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his three daughters, Laurie Henderson (Greg), Janna Hammett (Richard) and Julie Bucek (Mark); five grandchildren, Matthew (Danielle), Macy, Cara Beth (Ryan), Ben (Makayla) and Molly (Taylor); two great-grandchildren, Dawson and Madeline; a brother-in-law, Roland Lang (Wanda); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Bennie; a grandson, Sam Henderson; a sister, Jan Leaman; and brother-in-law, Don Leaman.
Memorials may be made to the church or charity of one’s choice.
