Garvin Dale "Jim" Martin's Obituary
Garvin Dale “Jim” Martin passed away February 4, 2026, at a hospital in Tucson, AZ. Jim was born March 28, 1942, in Rives, Missouri to Carl Martin and Reba Lobelia (Rutledge) Martin, who both preceded him in death.
He is survived by his life partner, Shirley Bellamy, of the home in Herford, Arizona; one son, Joel C. Martin, (Tami); five stepsons, Jim L. Claunch; John A. Claunch; and Jeffery L. Claunch; Brian Bellamy; and Steven Bellamy.
He is also survived by two sisters, Barbara A. Martin and Geneva R. Martin as well as two brothers, Gary L. Martin and Jerry Wayne Martin. Other survivors include granddaughters Gena S. (Martin) Spero (Mike) and Cheyene N. (Martin) (Niles) Karbo; several step-grandchildren, Lora I. Claunch; Cynthia B. Claunch, Michael A. Claunch, Eric W. Claunch, Aimee N. Claunch, Megan L. Claunch, Jeremy C. Claunch; Jerilyn N. (Claunch) Griffin; Dustin Bellamy and Tiffany Bellamy as well as six great-grandchildren.
Jim grew up in Dunklin County, Missouri. On May 15, 1959, he graduated from Hornersville High School, Hornersville, Missouri. On October 13, 1960, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for three years. In 1960 and 1961 he completed the U. S. Air Force Data Processing Machine Operators Course at Sheppard Air Force Base and continued employing his skills while in the U. S. Air Force. Jim’s duty stations were here in the United States as well as in Thule, Greenland. He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Air Force May 27, 1964. He continued his career in the data processing field with various companies until he retired.
He married Bonnie I. (Lantz) Claunch, daughter of Charles Christian Lantz and Minnie Isabell Hager, November 17, 1962, at North Kansas City, Missouri where they made their home. They later divorced. In 1994, Jim and Shirley Bellamy moved to Arizona where they made their home until the time of his death.
A Celebration of Life event will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Warrenton Lions Club Building, 601 Fairgrounds Road, Warrenton, MO 63383. There will be a visitation and funeral service followed by a luncheon.
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