John Thomas Martin

John Thomas Martin was born during the Great Depression at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hannibal, Missouri on Tuesday, May 29, 1934. He was the oldest of five Martin children with two brothers and two sisters. His father worked for the Corps of Engineers along the nation’s river system, which led to family moves to Illinois, Kentucky, and Oklahoma before settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1948. Tom graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1952. He served in the United States Army from May of 1952-1954. Tom attended the University of New Mexico where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology.

Tom met RoseMary DoBell on a blind date. They married on April 7, 1956, and started their family. Tom worked as a real estate broker, managed a mortgage banking firm, and was the owner and head chef of a local diner. He had a lengthy career starting in 1966 as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations. This exciting career led him to move his family to many places, including California, Nebraska, and Iowa. He retired from the FBI in 1986 and then started a small private investigations company. He remained married to his sweet Rosie until her death in 2009.

He married Carolyn on December 14, 2010, and they enjoyed 13 active years together.

Tom lived a full life where he pursued many hobbies and achievements. From prized race horses to travel pursuits and Bigfoot research, Tom had many interests. He especially valued athletics, and was often perfecting his game on racquetball and tennis courts, hiking the local mountains, and winning track and field medals in the Senior Olympics.

John Thomas Martin is survived by his wife, Carolyn Martin, his four daughters, Vanessa Marsden (husband Kevin) of Thousand Oaks, CA; Rosanna Menck (husband Randy) of Idaho Falls, ID; Paula Mytyk (husband David) of Willis, TX; and Leslie Churan of Albuquerque, NM; 14 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Anne Etzrodt and Joy Meketa.