Obituaries

Thomas E. Martin

Photo of Thomas E. Martin
Our father, Thomas Martin, 82, of Hot Springs Village passed away February 5th, 2011 from respiratory failure. He was treated with kindness and dignity by the St. Joseph's Hospital hospice staff and had a peaceful passing. Our dad considered the people of Arkansas, especially his friends at Oaklawn, his family and loved living in the South even though he was a "Northerner". He knew people everywhere, and if you lived in Hot Springs.... you knew Tom Martin. I have favorite memories of going to ballgames with our dad, or staying home and playing board games (he cheated) but my greatest memories will always be of going to the track with him or listening to his stories about his life in horse racing. He spent over fifty years doing what he loved, not many of us can say that. My sister says it best: "One of my fondest memories with my father was watching the racehorses exercise on a beautiful brisk morning at Oaklawn racetrack. The presence of these amazing creatures is like no other. My father was like a thoroughbred to me, powerful, handsome, unpredictable, untamed. He is now free as a stallion should be, no illness, no pain, running free. I will miss my father." He is survived by his daughters Terry and Laurie, his sister Cecelia, his brother John, his grandsons Joel and James, his granddaughters Raeann and Adrienne and his dear companion Dee who was by his side during so many of his illnesses and brought him love and friendship in the last four years of his life. We will miss you Dad, you were truly one of a kind and we loved you very much. Memorial services will be private. www.grossfuneralhome.com.

Published February 11, 2011

Upcoming Events