Clarence “Marty” Ruel Martin (1936-2009)

MARTIN, KIRKLAND, VOGTLIN, ADLER, BEVAN, HENSLEY

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 10/6/2009 at 21:40:26

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, September 6, 2009.

Clarence “Marty” Ruel Martin, 73, of Ames, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at his home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ames. Burial will be in Ames Municipal Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 37.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the church.

Clarence was born March 13, 1936, in Tellico Plains, Tenn., the third son of Elbert and Ina Kirkland Martin. He left Tennessee at the age of 15, and shortly thereafter he entered the U.S. Army (1954 to 1956).

After leaving the Army, he became a welder. He traveled the United States on various jobs from 1956 until he eventually made his way to Ames in 1959 with his older brother, Fred, to help build the water tower at the National Animal Disease Lab. In 1959, he started Martin Machine Welding Works in Ames. This business began his lifelong journey as a successful entrepreneur and businessman. In 1959, he started Industrial Plating, a successful chrome plating business. Later, he began another business, Custom Steel Service, a metal fabrication company. He was still operating both companies at the time of his death.

He married Sharron Vogtlin, of Gilbert, on Sept. 2, 1962.

In his own unique way, he was an artist. He pursued somewhat eccentric projects, such as making a 41-foot replica of a pitchfork and converting a railroad caboose, which he named the Freedom Train, into his personal office. At the time of his death, he was making a 6-foot gold-plated ear of corn. He was a traveler and adventurer. Throughout his life, he hiked large segments of the Appalachian Trail, often alone. He was a pilot, hunter, fisherman and collector of BMW motorcycles. Most of all, he loved the mountains, streams and people of east Tennessee; in his heart, he never left there. He loved the annual spring “Martin Ramp Tramp” and spending time with his brothers, sisters and other family members in the mountains around Tellico Plains.

He is survived by his wife, Sharron; three daughters, Jennifer Adler (Don), of Ankeny, Holly Bevan, of Ankeny, and Paula Martin, of Urbandale; one son, Marcus Martin (Paula), of Boulder, Colo.; and, his six grandchildren, Jacob and Julia Adler, Jackson, Henry and Charles Martin, and Andrew Bevan. He is also survived by two sisters, Lavern Hensley and Zandra Martin; and four brothers, Carl (Sherry), Johnny, Larry (Mary) and J.W. (Linda) Martin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Fred.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Beloit Children’s Home or the Boys and Girls Club.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family.

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