Fred Phillip Martin, age 90, passed away Monday, August 22, 2011 in the Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care at Quinter, KS.


He was born at the family farm north of Quinter on January 3, 1921, to the late Robert and Helen (Thompson) Martin.


Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, 'Johnnie' (Johnson) Martin; and two brothers, Wayne and Donald Martin.

Survivors include a son, Laurence Martin and wife, Jan, of Sparks, NV; two daughters, Janet Yarlot and husband, Mark, of Tehachapi, CA, Cindy Sykes and husband, Captain Marshall Sykes, USN, of Oxnard, CA; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helen Tilton, of Quinter.


Fred was raised on the family farm north of Quinter. He had an interest and talent for electronics at an early age. He and his cousin, Lloyd Ford, built their own ham radios and acquired ham radio licenses before they graduated from high school. Fred graduated from Quinter High School with the class of 1938.


The start of World War II and Fred's accomplishments in electronics brought US Navy recruiters to the farm in 1942. He then enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and was stationed at Par Marine Field in Natal, Brazil as a Aviation
Electronics Technician Mate. Fred was honorably discharged in 1945, achieving the rank of Chief in three years.


He returned to Quinter to continue his career as a licensed electrician as well as assist his father with the family farm. Fred always kept up with the latest electronic trends, even after he retired.

On April 25, 1954, Fred married Eleanor Johnson of McPherson in the New Gottland Mission Covenant Church. They made their home in Quinter where they raised their three children and were very active in the community. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage before Eleanor passed away in February of 2008.


He was an active member of the American Legion Post #164 of Quinter and served as Commander of that Post in 1964 and 1965. He provided state of the art sound systems for many area schools and events. He also enjoyed hunting and often used only one bullet to get his annual deer.

Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, KS.


Services for Fred will be 10:30 AM Friday, August 26, 2011, in the Quinter United Methodist Church. Interment is in the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at WaKeeney, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the Quinter Ambulance Service or the Gove County Medical Center Access Van Fund and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S Main, Quinter, KS 67752.