Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" Martin

Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” Martin was born on June 14, 1952, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, to James Woods Martin and Lollar Sarah Evelyn (Frachiseur) Martin, making him the first of six siblings to be born in a hospital. He peacefully passed away on October 3, 2025, in Norman, Oklahoma, at the age of 73. Jeff attended grade school in Doyle before graduating from Lindsay School in 1970. He furthered his education in mechanics at Southeastern Technical School in Oklahoma City and graduated from Southwest Automotive School in 1971. His career began at Miller Motors in Lindsay, where he ordered and still owns his Gran Torino. He later worked at Robins Ford in Marlow, earning the “Best of the Best of Service” award in 1974. In 1979, he leased two bays at Earl’s Fina Station in Lindsay, which he purchased in 1982, renaming it Jeff’s Auto Repair. Over the years, he proudly serviced vehicles for customers across Garvin, Stephens, and surrounding counties.

On June 5, 1975, Jeff married the love of his life Karen Carter, and they celebrated their 50th Anniversary together. The couple lived in Marlow and welcomed their only daughter, Kari'. In 1979, they moved to family land in Foster, where they enjoyed hosting family gatherings, particularly during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sundays became a time for casual lunches and watch parties for shows like Yellowstone and Landman, during which Jeff took on the role of a food critic for new recipes. He cherished teaching his grandchildren to hunt responsibly and had a passion for boxing, westerns, and football, especially cheering for the OU Sooners. His interests included buying and shooting guns, enjoying Dr. Pepper, singing karaoke, playing pool, and attending auctions, with a fondness for hunting trips to Colorado. Family trips to Lake Texoma and boating were cherished memories for Jeff, who even took to water skiing at the age of 70.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Karen Martin, residing in Foster, Oklahoma, along with their daughter, Kari’ Whitehead, and her husband, Tracy, from Roff, Oklahoma. He leaves behind grandchildren Kinzey and Trenten Whitehead, also of Roff, as well as siblings Mildred Williams, DL and Gail Martin, Linnie and Cecil Covel, and sister-in-law Clara Martin. Additionally, he is remembered by his mother-in-law, Christeen Carter, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Woods and Lollar Martin, his sister Margie Webb, and his brother JR Martin.