Kenneth Robert “Bob” Martin, Sr., age 76, of Wolf Point, MT passed away on February 20, 2009 in Billings, MT.
He was born August 4, 1932 to Dan and Estelle (Flynn) Martin in Poplar, MT. He married Joy Stafne in April of 1977 in Wolf Point.
Bob had several interesting careers. He owned and operated a trucking business; he established and managed the Silver Wolf Casino and Fort Belknap’s Casino and earned the nickname “Bingo Bob”. In February of 1999 Bob retired from the Fort Peck Tribal Courts system as the Guardian Ad Litem and Lay Advocate. However, if you were to ask him, the only important position he held was “Grandpa”.
He enjoyed fishing, camping, pow-wows, rodeos, playing cards, working in his yard and gardening and he had a passion for reading books. Bob always had a fresh pot of coffee and a cigarette in hand ready to visit with whoever stopped by. Words cannot express how much he will be missed and we hold all our loving memories close to our hearts.
Bob is survived by his wife, Joy L. Martin of Wolf Point, MT; sons Kenneth Martin, Jr. of Vale, CO, David Martin of Watertown, SD, Kevin Martin of Window Rock, AZ, Dwain Balch of Wolf Point, MT and adopted sons, Tom Filesteel of Ft. Belknap, MT and John “Lucky” Christian of Wolf Point, MT; daughters, Leann Martin Pankratz of Landusky, MT, Pat Headdress of Wolf Point, MT and Deborah Ricker of Poplar, MT and adopted daughter Debbie “Doo” Mason Wallace of Billings, MT; sisters, Joanne Shelton of Portland, OR and Esther Disney of Olympia, WA; brother Tom Martin of Wolf Point, MT; numerous nieces and nephews; a special nephew Grant “Wildman” Stafne of Wolf Point, MT; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; a special granddaughter Donna “Lil Bit” Headdress of Wolf Point, MT and a special granddaughter and namesake Kendra Lanell Ricker of Poplar, MT.
Preceding Bob in death were his parents, a son, Roger Martin; four sisters, Inez Cooke, Dorothy Manley, Audrey Martin and Ruth Martin and a brother Richard Martin.
Visitation will be from 1:00-7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2009 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point, and MT. A Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel with Pastor Danny Lindsay officiating. Interment will follow at King Memorial Cemetery, Wolf Point, MT.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.