Ronald D. "Hoss" Martin

Ronald D. "Hoss" Martin, 49, of Parsons, died at 2:54 a.m., Tuesday, December 6, 2011, in the Emergency Room at Labette Health. He was born April 5, 1962, in Wichita, Kansas, to Ralph Martin, Jr. and Eva Janice (McElhinny) Martin. He grew up in Leon, Beaumont, and Howard, Kansas and was a 1980 graduate of Leon High School. He then attended Independence Community College and later Labette Community College where he earned an Associate degree. He and Sandra McElroy were married January 4, 1986 in Altamont. They later divorced. Following marriage, he lived in Parsons where he worked at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center and the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. He then worked as a truck driver for CFI and Grandview Products until becoming disabled. He loved coaching Pee Wee football when his sons were younger and also enjoyed sporting events, fishing, traveling and writing poetry. Survivors include: Two Sons – Tony Martin and wife, Sheila Parsons, KS Sgt. Stephan Martin and wife, Stacy Colorado Springs, CO Two Grandchildren – Alexander and Hunter Martin Two Brothers – Randy Martin Douglass, KS; Gary Martin Seattle, WA One Sister – Bonnie Juaire Howard, KS Companion – Cindy Vandervoort Parsons, KS He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Betty Jane Ogle, in August of 2000. Following cremation, a Celebration of Life service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2011, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons where the family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald D. "Hoss" Martin, please visit our flower store.