October 8 would have marked the 102nd birthday of John D. Martin, a longtime respected member of the Custer County community. Although we lost him in his 90s, John will be remembered always by many of my generation as a friend and mentor.
I first met John when I was around 10 years old, walking on a mountain property of John’s with my Dad and me. My father was a land surveyor, and he and John had become good friends and professional colleagues. When my family moved to Westcliffe in the 1970s we discovered that John and his wife were soon to start a business here as well. Our family friendship grew, and I came to know John more and more.
John was a WW2 veteran and a NATO world champion in long-distance open sight rifle competition. His life of discipline made him solid as a rock in many ways, especially in the character traits of honesty and integrity. As a mentor, John always knew if you needed a kick in the butt or a pat on the back, and he would hand them out appropriately. My father once said that when you looked up the word “honesty” in the dictionary, you would find a picture of John Martin.
When John was in his early 90’s and living in his summer home in Texas he decided that with the world as it is he would apply for a concealed weapons permit. He would have to apply and take a written and a shooting exam at the local guard armory the following Saturday. On that day, John found that there were almost 200 in attendance, and it would be an all-day affair. In the morning, John earned 100% on the written test, and then came the afternoon live fire shooting exam. John got the highest score out of all of those in attendance. The instructor came around to congratulate John on his scores and asked John if he was from Texas and where he learned to shoot. In his straightforward way, John said he was not a native but that he had first been to Texas in the 50’s. The instructor politely asked what for. With a smile, John answered to teach a course at the National Guard armory. That was John, humble with just a dash of sarcasm.
So long, John, thanks for the life lessons.
Kit Shy
Westcliffe
