Morgan Eugene Martin was born on April 17, 1943, in Muleshoe, Texas, to Charles and Lucille Martin. Known to many as "Gene," he joined the United States Air Force in 1960, beginning his service at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine. Many of Gene's stories centered around his adventures in aviation. He earned his pilot's license and eventually flew his own private aircraft, often inviting family members to join him in the skies. If that gives any indication, Gene was a man who could do just about anything, from building things from scratch and troubleshooting whatever he was tinkering with, to flying full airplanes.

He married the love of his life, Minnie Alice Dixon (Hurley), in Carson City, Nevada, on August 6, 1964. Their love was the kind of story people hope for. One that endured through every season of life. Though she was 13 years his senior, Gene adored her deeply until she went to her eternal home, as he would say, to help Jesus prepare a place for him.

Gene and Alice lived throughout California before eventually settling in Mt. Aukum in Northern California. They began on acreage with a log cabin before building the home they would live in until relocating to Missouri in 2000. Their homestead included pigs, chickens, a horse named Nina, and a buffalo named Bucky, along with a variety of other animals. Their granddaughter Jaclyn fondly recalls a visit to their mountain home when she and "Grandpaw," as she lovingly called him, got into a hot sauce eating competition over Grandmaw's famous hamburger stew. He bet her a whole dollar she couldn't eat a tablespoon of hot sauce and proudly cackled, pounding the table (to Grandmaw's dismay), when she proved him wrong.

In 2000, Gene and Alice moved to Appleton City, Missouri, where they purchased a home with a large lot, a Morton building, and a garden that Gene loved to tend. He spent years remodeling the home to fit their vision, building features such as an ammo reloading room, an underground storm shelter, and a mudroom. He took great pride in working with his hands and in creating a home of his own making. After Alice's passing in 2021, he briefly returned to Buffalo, Texas, before ultimately settling back in Missouri.

Gene formed many meaningful friendships throughout his life, including a special bond with Arthur Nicholson. The two shared a connection rooted in mutual understanding and companionship. Together, they spent many days eating, laughing, and driving down gravel roads in Arthur's (Carrie's) convertible—memories that will be cherished always.

Gene's family will remember him as larger than life. A man whose presence filled any room with his voice, opinions, and stories. He loved deeply and fiercely. And when he had something to say, you knew it. That fire earned him the nickname "Gene-O," or, as his grandchildren affectionately called him, "Grumpy Gramps." But even in his strongest moments, his passion came from a place of conviction and love. He stood firmly for what he believed in, and the world could use more of that kind of spirit.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lucille Martin; his infant brother, Charles Jr.; his sisters Wanda Sawyers (Tom), Shirley Roberts (Tom), and Betty Miles (Sonny); his brother Donald Martin (Carol); his stepson Donald Dixon; and, of course, his beloved wife, Minnie Alice Martin.

He is survived by his sisters Geri Lancaster (Phil) and Patty Anderson (Andy), his brother Mike Martin (Wilma), his granddaughter Jaclyn Dixon (Brett), his great-granddaughter Caressa Renna (Hunter), and many beloved nieces and nephews who will carry forward his memory—and miss his booming laughter—for years to come.