From Sally Johnson--dear family friend
From the time our younger daughter, Liby, could speak, she called David Martin, 'Mr. Mawtin'. The rest of the Johnson family quicky began to use her particular way of greeting one of her favorite people. I don't recall the exact time or place we first met David and G-Ann, but if had to have been at Frist Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls, Texas. I imagine we met at one of the many church functions--Sunday School, Worship, monthy family night supper, or Pairs and Spares, a social get together for young couples and singles in the church family. It was obvious that they were devoted to each other! The last time I was able to visit with them they still had that wonderful spark of devotion and love. I know our paths corssed more frequently when both the Johnson and Martin families soon had babies in the nursery! The boomers were busy in the 1970s and 1980s. The church nursery was wall to wall with crawling, sleeping, eating, and crying babies. The parents were asked to take turns helping the nursery attendant. You could tell how much David lovedd these little ones by watching him interact with them. He was a very involved father! He continued that close involvement with his family the rest of his life.
The Martin and Johnson families really enjoyed getting together. We were often invited to go to the Martin's to swim or enjoy one of David's famous briskets. My husband, also a David, and I attended a convention in Atlanta, and David and G-Ann offerred to let our girls stay at their house. My girsl loved all the games and toys the Martins had, but I think they especially enjoyed teasing and tormenting Mr. Mawtin! One evening our 2-year-old didn't want to go to bed. I don't know if it was David or G-Ann who offered Libby the opportunity to sleep in a drawer, or was it a box? --but Libby thought it was a great idea and fell fast asleep. For years we laughed about Libby sleeping in a drawer!
As the chidlren grew older we would join the Martins in Red River, New Mexico druing Christmas break. Our photo albums are full of pictures of skiing lessons, snowmen, and warm fireplaces roasting s'mores.
David was ever present for each ski run, meal at Texas Reds, and there to comfort anyone who was having a bad day! To this day my girls fondly remember the cabins, campfires, ski slopes, and great fellowship with the gracioius Martin family.
if you knew David you knew he could solve almost any problem. As the two families wer epreparing to go to Red River, David realized traveling with four little girls between 2 and 8 would require frequent stops druing the 8 hour drive. He qucily bought a travel potty for his van! Although the girls thought it was a terrible idea, the potty was well used. David was at his best solving problems!
As our girls grew, both families experienced cabbage partch dolls, Indian Princesses, 4th of July, and Halloween parades in the neighborhood, school programs, church Christmas programs, and Easter egg hunts. David was always present for his young daughters' activities and programs.
As the Martin and Johnson girls became teenagers their activites chagned to cotillion dance lessons, volunteering as Pink Darlings, and Junior Forum community services. All too quickly they were seniors in high school at debutante presetnations and Senior Nights after graduation. You could always find David Martin at his daughters' events, helping in whatever way needed.
I was often amazed that while David was a busy full time professor in the Political Science Department at Midwestern State University, he also operated a lawn sprinkler business. He drew up the plan and often helped install the equipement! It was obvious he really enjoyed it.
But wait! There's more! He also interacted with police departments statewide, helping improve policies and procedures!
Sun City began to beckon David and G-Ann, and with Jenna and Tal's family nearby in Austin, they left tornado alley.
David and I, and later, Pat and I, were able to visit David and G-Ann a few times over the years. David always took us for golf cart rides to see Sun City's deer often walking in the streets and paths. He became very involved with gardening, proudly showing us his plants. David and G-Ann loved making home improvements too. It seems they were always remodeling a kitchen, enclosing a patio, or creating a path in the backyard. I know he missed those activities the last few years he was with us.
We miss you dear friend. I think you may be gardening or laying a sprinkler system even now!
Sally Johnson Osoinach