Harold A. "Pepper" Martin, age 93, of Pittsburg, KS, answered the call to come home to heaven on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The wonderful memories we have of him will outweigh the many tears we shed.
Harold was born at home in Pittsburg, KS on October 23, 1931, to Chester N. and Stella O. (Dalton) Martin. He was called Pepper after a St. Louis Cardinal baseball player who was from Oklahoma. He met the real Pepper in Pittsburg and later when he was in the V.A. Hospital in Muskogee, OK, Pepper surprised him with a visit bringing the Muskogee newspaper for a picture together and an article in the paper.
Harold attended Horace Mann Grade School and graduated from College High. After graduation he went to work at Van Hoy Chevrolet. Joined the Navy Reserves in 1949. Was called in for the Korean War and was assigned to the USS Gallup Patrol Frigate 47 in Japan. Went over on a troop ship. After service in North Korean waters and Philippine Islands, the USS Gallup was transferred to the Thailand Navy in Oct. 1951. In 2003, the Gallup was put on display at the mouth of the Prasae River, Rayong, Providence, Thailand. The Gallup received 3 battle stars for the Korean War. In Oct. 1951 Harold transferred to the USS Sausalito PF4 where the Sausalito received six battle stars for the Korean War. He was later transferred to the USS Bryce Canyon AD36, Destroyer Tender for two years and discharged from the Navy on Oct. 25, 1954. He returned home and went to work for Hudson Oil Co. While cruising Broadway he met the love of his life. He was united in marriage to Mary Anita (Beighey) Martin on May 26, 1956. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage before her passing on Feb. 2, 2018. After their marriage he went to work for the Pittsburg Fire Dept for 1 year, then to the Pittsburg Post Office for 6 years before transferring in 1963 to the Post Office in Cherokee, KS to be a Rural Letter Carrier, retiring on Jan. 1, 1988.
Before retiring he partnered with Phillip Hooke to form H.A.M. Corporation and built the new Post Office in Cherokee Kansas. After retirement he sold Real Estate for Merle Humbard Realty and Countryside Realty. He was a member of College Heights United Methodist Church, National Rural Letter Carriers Association and the Kansas Rural Letter Carriers Association. Also, a proud participant of the Daylight Donut Shop Gang.
Harold is survived by his daughter, Donna Martin, of Pittsburg, Ks. Additional survivors included a loving family of nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a daughter, Joyce Ann Martin and a sister Esther Jones.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Brenner Mortuary with Reverend Ryong Jae Jung officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at Brenner Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, or College Heights United Methodist Church, and can be left in care of the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary 114 E 4th St. Pittsburg, KS.
