Glenn Louis Martin

Services to honor and remember the life of Glenn Louis Martin will be 2 p.m., Thursday, March 30, 2017, at South Tulsa Baptist Church. Interment will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2017, at Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, Ark. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bixby Funeral Service. Glenn passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2017, in Tulsa. He was 94. Born September 2, 1922, in Western Grove, Ark., Glenn was welcomed by parents Edgar Henry and Gertie (Osborn) Martin. He was reared and educated in Harrison, Ark., where he became a high school graduate. Glenn would further his education by attending the University of Arkansas, where he became a passionate fan and follower of the Razorbacks, in pretty much any sport or activity. For many years, he had season tickets for football, basketball, and baseball games. At the age of 15, Glenn underwent a major surgery that left him with only one kidney. This medical condition made Glenn unable to serve in the military; however, it did not keep him from supporting his country during wartime, as he found employment as a flight inspector through Douglas Aircraft in Midwest City, Okla. He would later gain his own private pilot's license and enjoyed flying when time and resources permitted. During his youth and college years, Glenn was part of a local swing band. He played the upright bass while fellow band member and friend Danny Cornelius played the drums. Danny had a younger sister named Dorothy who was quite a vocalist. Once she joined the band, it didn't take long for Glenn to develop true feelings for Dorothy. The feelings grew and the two married and then started a family. The young Martin couple lived in the Oklahoma City area before making Tulsa home. It was in Tulsa that Glenn had a long career as a service and sales manager for Tennessee Coal & Iron, which later became U.S. Steel. Glenn was dedicated to his work. He was also a devout man of faith. While raising his three daughters, Glenn made it a priority to attend church. Through the years, he was a member of a several congregations including University Baptist Church, Memorial Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church in downtown Tulsa. He loved music of all kinds, but especially choir music. He often took the family to attend choir services at St. John AME Church. He was instrumental in the planting of South Tulsa Baptist Church. At each of these churches, he used his organizational skills and warm and caring heart to volunteer in the nursery and also to usher and served in other ways. Throughout the times his daughters were at home, Glenn enjoyed attending their many activities, from ballet recitals to rhetorical presentations to art shows to dramatic productions. He also attended many Will Rogers High School athletic and drama events. He often treated the family to coneys at the original Coney Island downtown, fried chicken at the Golden Drumstick, three-way at Ike's Chili, and ribs from Jamil's. He continued to regularly enjoy visits to the Coney Island until the time of his passing. After separation from his first wife, Glenn later found companionship with a longtime acquaintance, Joyce Clapper. The two were happy to have found one another and their relationship was special. For many years after their marriage, Glenn and Joyce loved taking care of one another. They enjoyed traveling, especially to Razorback track and field events. In recent years, they have been residents of Montereau in Tulsa, where Glenn was able to ensure that Joyce was well cared for. They attended Sunday morning church services and shared Sunday lunch over the course of those years. Glenn will be remembered as being independent. In a state dominated by Republicans, Glenn remained a staunch Democrat all of his life. He and Joyce frequently worked for Tulsa County Democratic candidates: walking neighborhoods, delivering signs, and making telephone calls. He loved to rail against various political figures that he frequently claimed "have lost their minds and are running us into the ground." Some acquaintances may say that Glenn was hard-headed or stubborn, but one thing is certain: he loved his family and he lived a rich, full life. He kept himself informed and read several newspapers each day. When he turned 90, he learned to use an iPhone and iPad. During baseball season, he could be counted on to watch every St. Louis Cardinals game. During college football and basketball seasons, he always watched the Arkansas Razorbacks. He never missed an opportunity to vote. For more than two decades, he delivered Meals on Wheels to elderly individuals with whom he became close friends. He was a longtime supporter of Gilcrease Museum, and had an enduring appreciation of Indian and Western art. He never tired of visiting Willard Stone at his studio in Locust Grove, or Charles Banks Wilson in Miami. He will be missed by those family and friends who survive him. Survivors include: his wife, Joyce Clapper of Tulsa; his daughters Dotty Merrill and husband Bob of Reno, Nev.; Joanna Gleason and husband Keith of Lyons, Colo.; Martha Taylor of Oklahoma City; his granddaughter, Jane Gleason; and a great-grandson, Christopher; his niece Betsy Martin and husband Paul Siegel of Alexandria, Va.; and his nephew Richard Martin of Los Angeles, Calif. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Lee Martin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to www.okadoptadog.com in honor of Glenn's favorite rescued dogs, Chief and Sam. There are several ways you can donate: you can donate through PayPal on the website, or you can donate by sending a check or money order to: OK ADOPT A DOG at P.O. Box 974, Harrah, Okla. 73045.