George Edward Martin

Visitation services for George Edward Martin, 94, Lawrence, will be held 1:00 ~ 3:00 p.m. Friday, January 13, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, Kansas. The burial will take place at Grand View Cemetery in Kaw City, Oklahoma.  George passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at Monterey Village Assisted Living in Lawrence.

Mr. Martin was born November 1, 1927, in Argonia, Kansas, the son of Ellis J. and Melda Shuster Martin. He graduated from the Argonia Public Schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas in 1953 and a Master of Science Degree from Emporia State University in 1970. He was a 3-year letterman in both football and track earning conference honors in football. He was captain of the 1952 team.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school graduation serving in WWII abroad 2 ships in the South Pacific. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0179 in Charleston, South Carolina.

He began his teaching and coaching careers at Inman High School, continuing at Eureka High, Haskell Institute, and Haskell Indian Junior College. While Haskell went through academic changes, Mr. Martin also had several career changes at the school including coaching, instructor guidance counselor, Director of Pre-Admissions, Director of Admissions, and Registrar. In September 1981, he transferred to the Department of Defense as an education counselor with the U.S. Air Force at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. In July 1983, he transferred to the Charleston Air Force Base in Charleston, South Carolina. He was promoted to Education Services Officer in October 1984 and served in that position until his retirement in January 1991 with 31 years of Federal Service. Under his guidance CAFB was named the outstanding Education Office for the Military Airlift Command (MAC) winning the Nathan Aultschuler Award of Excellence for six consecutive years. After his retirement from the Department of Defense, he worked for Trident Technical College in Charleston as the Liaison officer and admissions counselor with the Air Base. He retired in June 2001 after 48 years in education and moved back to Lawrence, Kansas.

He married Dawna Ruth McQuirk in May 1953. She preceded him in death August 1988. His parents, a sister Melda Martin, and a brother Dr. Marion Martin preceded him in death.

Survivors include two sons, Scot, wife Lida and grandson Kayvon of Scottsdale, Arizona, Michael, wife Toni and granddaughter Michaela of Lawrence, Kansas, sisters-in-law, Virginia Martin of McPherson, Kansas, Patricia Walters of Ponca City, Oklahoma, brother-in-law, Brent and wife LouWayne McQuirk of Arlington, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in George’s name to the Central United Methodist Church or the American Diabetes Association and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.