(From Derfelt Funeral Home)Arthur LeRoy “Bud” Martin passed peacefully on the morning of January 11th, 2026, at his home along Shoal Creek, his favorite place to be.
Born on July 6th, 1937, Bud lived his 88 years of life rooted in the Baxter Springs, KS area. He met the love of his life, Janice, at the young age of 17 and she became his beautiful forever bride on August 15th, 1959. Together, they had two children: Shawn and Jacinda Martin.
Bud only knew hard work and instilled that same work ethic into his children and grandchildren.
When he was only 9 years old, Bud began working at Moncrief’s Greenhouse in Lowell, KS. At the young age of 13, he lost his mother. Shortly thereafter he graduated 8th grade from Lowell Grammar School and chose to help support the family by going to work. He started work on Walter Hartley’s Farms where he met Mr. Bennett who introduced him to Midwestern Oil. Bud was a part of Midwestern Oil for over 16 years in various roles where he gained the skills to venture into business on his own. In 1971, the original Baxter Discount store was born. It was there that Bud worked and opened multiple locations across Kansas and Oklahoma. Simultaneously, he opened Bud Martin Enterprises in Baxter Springs. In 2001, Bud co-owned and operated Star Lube in Baxter until his retirement at the young age of 84. It was here that he is most remembered for his servant love of others, his friendly customer service, and smalltown hospitality!
Bud was a man of integrity, humbleness, and loyalty to his friends, customers, and most importantly family. His grandkids and great grandkids were his pride and joy! He often spent his time at the shop bragging on each of them to every customer. Bud’s greatest passion of all was tractoring around or mowing his property. This type of work wasn’t work in his eyes, yet it was a hobby and one that he thoroughly enjoyed every chance he got.
Bud was a man of integrity, humbleness, and loyalty to his friends, customers, and most importantly family. His grandkids and great grandkids were his pride and joy! He often spent his time at the shop bragging on each of them to every customer. Bud’s greatest passion of all was tractoring around or mowing his property. This type of work wasn’t work in his eyes, yet it was a hobby and one that he thoroughly enjoyed every chance he got.
Proceeding him in death are his parents, Stella and Lee “Bud” Martin, his younger brother Gilbert Martin and his older sister Shirley Wilkinson and his lifelong friend, Marvin Harper. Bud leaves behind his beloved wife of 66 years, Janice, and their two children, Shawn (Cristy) Martin of Joplin, MO and Jacinda Martin of Riverton, KS; siblings Ron (Brenda) Martin of Katy, TX and Stella Lashley of Galena, KS; his grandchildren Jessica (Skylar) Thomas, Lexus Williams, Joel Martin, Jenna Martin, BJ (Allison) Burns, Brittney (Austin) Clark, and Blake (Isiah) Johnson; great-grandchildren Jakobi Thomas, Laikyn Thomas, Camara Hardman, Westlynn Barnes, Remmi Clark, Brynlee Clark, Zeke Burns, and Ashtyn Burns; many special nieces and nephews; dear friends; and a community who loved him dearly.
Accepting the honor to lay him to rest are pallbearers Skylar Thomas, Jakobi Thomas, Joel Martin, Bayne Wassom, Taylor Hight, and Garrett Street. Honorary pallbearers are Alan Wassom, Curtis Wade, Gordon Sweeton, Larry Bingham, Jody Bingham, Rusty Bingham, and Andy Bingham.
A celebration of his life will be held at Grace Community Church in Riverton, KS on Thursday, January 15th, at 2pm with his brother, Ronnie Martin, officiating. The family welcomes visitors at 1pm preceding the service. Graveside service and burial to follow at Lowell Cemetery in Lowell, KS. Online condolences maybe expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.
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