Richard Martin

Richard Donald Martin, age 92, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Pencil Bluff, Arkansas. He was born on Sunday, August 27, 1933 to William Bryan Martin Sr. and Myrtle Bell Martin in Mena, Arkansas.

Richard graduated from Mena High School in 1952 and went on to attend the University of Arkansas. He married his beloved wife, Mary Ruth Lunsford, on November 3, 1958, while he was employed by the Kansas City Southern Railroad. He later worked for the United States Postal Service in Mena and retired in 1990, proudly continuing the Martin Family legacy of the USPS, with his family having delivered mail for 133 years. A proud veteran, Richard served in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he worked in communications and was stationed in Seoul. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Mena and was well known for his love of storytelling, always entertaining family, friends, and coworkers with laughter and memorable stories. His coworkers cherished him deeply and continued to visit him in later years to share stories and laughs together. Richard loved working his cows on the farm and lived an active life, walking four to five miles every day after retirement while visiting with people along the way. He was an avid gardener who kept a large garden every year, constantly working on projects and generously giving away the vegetables he grew to friends and family.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the First Baptist Church of Mena and Elite Hospice for all their kindness.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, William Bryan Martin Jr., and Nicholas Gene Martin.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Ruth Martin of Mena; one daughter and son in law, Malea and Phillip Fields of Mena; three grandsons, Kendall and wife, Carley, Levi and wife, Jessica, and Caleb and wife, Sidney; six great grandchildren, Kenedi, Daniel, Lainey, Kinley, Hannah, and one great grandson arriving in May; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas with Brother Troy Lunsford and Brother Jim Tennery officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. A visitation will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Ellison, Levi Ellison, Caleb Ellison, Kendall Pearce, Charles Hensley, and Buddy Hooper.

Honorary Pallbearers are Billy Martin, Glen Martin, Rhon Chism, Danny Spencer, E. Wayne McDaniel, Stokes Herod, Phillip Fields, and Brian Gandy.

Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com