Leslie Leon ‘Goose’ Martin
June 30, 1943 Oct. 17, 2017 Leslie Leon “Goose” Martin, 74, of Noel, Mo., died on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in the comfort of his daughter’s home in Joplin, Mo., after months of declining health. He was born on June 30, 1943, in Stella, Mo., to George and Lela (Littlefield) Martin. He was raised and attended school in Anderson, Mo.
He was united in marriage to Jean Hammack on Apr. 19, 1968, in Neosho, Mo. and to this union three children were born. He was employed by Hudson Foods for 28 years as a truck driver and retired in 2012. While driving for Hudson, he won the Safe Driver Award every year for 20 years. He drove a truck for over 55 years. His passions in life were his grandchildren, beloved dog, fishing, truck driving, St. Louis Cardinal baseball, Kentucky Wildcat basketball and being ornery any chance he got.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Jean Martin; three children, Danna Martin and Jody Stidham of Hiwasse, Ark., Heather Frossard and husband, Tony of Joplin and Brent Martin and wife, Angela of Siloam Springs, Ark.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, J.L. Martin of Anderson; mother-in-law, Jane Collins of Noel; in-laws, Cheryl and Danny Leonard of Bella Vista, Ark., and David Hickey of Noel; and a host of other family and friends.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff at Mercy Hospital as well as Mercy Hospice for their exceptional care during this time.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in the Noel Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes with J.R. Morgan and Larry Hendren officiating. The family received friends Friday evening, Oct. 20, 2017, in the funeral home chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorials are being directed to Mercy Hospice c/o the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ozark funeralhome.com.
Arrangements were under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Noel.