It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a truly remarkable man, a loving soul, a tireless worker, and a steady presence in the lives of all who knew him.
Gary Allen Martin, age 61, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 3, 2026. Gary was born in Amarillo, Texas July 3, 1964, to Noel and Molly Martin.
If you knew Gary, you knew affection. He loved his family and friends with all his heart. Whether offering advice, lending a helping hand, or simply sharing a quiet moment, he gave fully of himself. Though he may no longer walk beside us, his legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the memories he created, and the love he gave so freely. Gary graduated from River Road High School in 1983. He then played football for Eastern New Mexico for a short time. He married Lee Davis and had a son, Taylor. He then remarried Kay Spiller and gained a daughter, Gail. Gary loved his family, but he also loved to smoke BBQ and hang out with his friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Molly Martin. He is survived by his father, Noel Martin; his wife, Kay Spiller Martin; a daughter, Gail, and her husband, Rickey, and his grandsons, Rylee and Ryder; his son, Taylor Martin, and his wife Cynthia, and his granddaughters, Eleanor “Ellie” and Charlotte “Charlie”; his sisters, Renee, husband Dave, Debbie Tebo, and wife Lucero; nephews Skyler Tebo and wife Cheyenne, Ryan Grizzle, Zachary Grizzle, and Whitney, along with many loved cousins, family members, and friends.
Gary was also a huge sports fanatic, “GUNS UP!” Texas Tech. In honor of his wishes, the family is asking everyone to come to his celebration of life dressed in their favorite sports jersey or shirt. His celebration of life will be at St. Stephen’s Methodist Church located at 4600 S Western St., Amarillo, Texas, on March 7, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Knew Gary in high school mostly thru his sister and his stand out athleticism even thou he was younger than me.
Gary came to Eastern New Mexico on a football ride , Coach K was tough, we had 60 athletes leave in tbe fall, I alway hate that I didnt mentor Gary better to get him thru it, but home and girls take alot of guts away.
Some how thru mutual friends Gary and I grew pretty close.
Taking now and then.
Then he started dating one of my best friends since 1st grade Kay. Funny him and Kay both called me like asking if I thought it was Ok for them to go out. Of course i said yes to both. I will miss calling him every now and then..
Although on opposing teams in high school, I always respected and appreciated Gary. He was a great guy. I remember one year high-five’ing each other when we finished 1-2 in the high hurdles- we were glad that a Lynx and a Wildcat kept Dalhart out of it. 😉
I worked with Gary at United, and with other friends we would play pictonary and laugh our tails off. It makes me so sad to hear of his passing. Much too young 😔