Gary F. Martin

Gary F. Martin was born on June 4, 1936, to parents Francis L. Martin and Velva Mae (Major) Martin in Williston, N.D. He was the oldest of six brothers, Robert, Thomas, Dennis, Lyle, Douglas and William. Gary passed away with his loving family by his side on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at his home in Glasgow, Mont., of congestive heart failure.

Gary's Celebration of Life will be held at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow on Tuesday, June 4, his birthday, at 1 p.m., with Pastor Scott Kiehn officiating. A reception will follow at the church.

Gary attended Williston schools and graduated in 1954. He was a member of the 1953 State Football winning team, the 1954 State runner-up basketball team and played and excelled in American Legion Baseball.

Gary attended Minot State College before entering the U.S. Army in 1955. He trained in Fort Chaffee, Ark., and Fort Sill, Okla., before shipping to Germany. He served in Germany until 1957 when he was called home to Williston when his mother passed away at the age of 42. Six weeks later his father died, also at age 42. At 20 years old he was left with six younger brothers ages 18 to 18 months. He was Honorably Discharged at Fort Riley, Kan., in August 1957.

While home for his father's funeral Gary met Judi Scarr who was a student at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. In 1958 Judi began teaching in Grenora, N.D. Gary married the love of his life, Judi Scarr in 1959. The fall of 1959 Judi obtained a teaching position in the Dickinson, N.D., school system. Gary entered Dickinson State College in 1959. He graduated from Dickinson State in 1961. Gary and Judi began teaching in Golva, N.D., in 1961. Gary was a teacher, high school principal and varsity coach. He coached the Golva Tigers to their first ever Regional basketball tournament where they were defeated by the Mandaree Warriors, the eventual state champion.

In 1962 Gary and Judi moved to Culbertson, Mont., where Gary taught and coached winning championships in football and basketball. In 1966 Gary received his Master's Degree in School Administration at Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont. He was named Superintendent of the Culbertson School System that same year and served as their Superintendent until 1972. Their daughter, Lisa Lynn (1964), and son, Robert Gary (1968), were born in Culbertson.

In 1972, Gary was named the Superintendent of Schools in Glasgow. He served as Superintendent there for 27 years until the summer of 1999. During this time North Star School was opened at the Glasgow Air Force Base serving the Air Force, Mountain Plains programs and later the Family Training Center families. Enrollment in the Glasgow School System exceeded 2,000 students.

During this time the high school football field was moved from the Fairgrounds to its present location along with an all-weather track, lights, bleachers, concession stands and restrooms. Additional classrooms were added to the Eastside Elementary School along with remodeling to transfer that school into a Middle School concept. The grade organizational pattern was changed to a K-5, 6,7,8 and a 9-12 grouping. New shops were constructed at the High School. The old Jr. High School was demolished for safety purposes. The old shop facilities were remodeled into a boardroom, administrative offices and district warehouses along with bus barns. New bleachers were added at the high school, remodeled locker rooms, additional restrooms were added in the gymnasium area and two new scoreboards installed. Gary was proud of these accomplishments.

Gary was also very proud of the Glasgow Community support and tradition of the schools, the best school song and the reputation of the Glasgow School System. He appreciated the dedicated school board members, his administrative staff, the teachers, coaches, and all of their efforts for the Glasgow students.

Gary was a member of the American School Administrators, Montana School Administrators, of which he served as president, and Phi Delta Kappa educational organization. Gary was on the original team from Montana that enabled the Montana Schools to participate in Close Up for students to visit Washington D.C. and an original organizer of the Valley County Crisis Line. Gary was a member of First Lutheran Church in Glasgow and the Kiwanis Club for many years.

Gary loved to travel with his wife and best friend, Judi, and family especially to Mexico where they were involved in a Mission and summers at Flathead Lake. Gary and Judi spent many winters in Arizona where Gary played on a softball team for men over 55. He loved spending time with his beloved family especially his prized grandchildren: Jordan, Austin, Macy Kay and Reece. Gary was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, athlete, teacher, coach, administrator, Notre Dame, Yankee and Scottie fan, and a loyal friend. Gary was also known for his quick wit and awesome sense of humor.

Gary was preceded in death by his and Judi's twin babies; his parents, Velva and Francis Martin; and all of his younger brothers, Robert, Thomas, Dennis, Lyle, Douglas and William; his parents-in-law, Harold and Judythe Scarr; and several sisters and brothers-in-law.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Judi of 65 years; his most loved children, daughter, Lisa Martin Hines (Randy) and son Robert Gary Martin (Brooke); his grandchildren Jordan Hines Wenzel (Zach), Austin Hines, Macy Martin and Reece Martin; and several special nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Glasgow Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund or a charity of choice. Condolences may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.