Joseph L. Martin MD

Joe, 97, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Hospice. He was born on September 13, 1928, to the late Wilfred and Ravena Martin. After growing up in Odessa, Missouri Joe graduated from University of Missouri before moving to St. Louis, earning his MD at Washington University Medical School. While there, he met Kathleen Berg and they were married on December 19, 1953. They lived in Detroit, Michigan where he did his internship, Joe then served as an Air Force Captain and medical officer in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. His residency took them to Iowa City, Iowa, before settling in Oklahoma City in 1959, where he and Kathy raised their family. They celebrated 69 years of marriage in 2022.

Joe practiced Anesthesiology first at Mercy Hospital (downtown) and then Deaconess Hospital as a founding partner of Western Oaks Anesthesia Associates. Over his long career, “Doc Joe” cared well for many people and ushered countless new babies into the world. Twice he volunteered on Mercy Ship, traveling internationally to give medical care to the underserved. He was a faithful father as he and Kathy raised their busy, growing family. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. His love of fishing took him from Mexico to Alaska, but he had a particular passion for chasing stripers on Lake Texoma where he owned a fishing cabin for many years. Joe and Kathy were long-time faithful members at St Francis of Assisi, and Joe was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and Parish Council.

He is predeceased by his wife Kathy, his grandson Justin Louis Martin, son in law Ronald Pfeffer, siblings Doris Bradley (Brad), Joyce Bradfield (Luke) and Dale Martin, and his in laws Lucille Dingmann (Mike) and Joseph Berg.

Joe leaves behind 3 generations of his large family.

4 children and their spouses Stephen (Malinda) Asheville, NC; Jeff (Janice), OKC; Jill Carter (J.G.), Richmond, VA; Janet Pfeffer (Ron),

Amelia Island, FL and Asheville, NC; 14 grandchildren, Kiel Martin (Edmond); Melissa Ryan (Dan), Asheville, NC; Carolyn Pfeffer (Dave Gamble) West Hartford, CT; Timothy Joseph Martin (Jamie), Chicago IL; Ross Martin (Jennifer), OKC; Kelsey Maloy (Chase) Asheville, NC; Allison Pfeffer (Dwight Henderson) Wethersfield, CT; Meredith Perks (David), Richmond, VA; Joseph Grant Martin (Taylor), Kailua, HI; Joe Pfeffer (Caitlin Szabo), Sandy Springs, GA; Sean Carter (Michelle), Richmond, VA; Luke Martin, Ft. Collins, CO; Meagan Ettari (Brian), Richmond, VA; Audrey Carter (Jake Prizant), Chicago, IL; and 19 great grandchildren Gavin, Declan, Molly, Connor, Campbell, Will, Jeffrey David, James, Ellie, Everett, Hayes, August , Holden, Ford, Elliott, Vera, Ruby, Bodie and Mitchell; great grandchild #20 will arrive in February 2026.

The family is forever grateful for the support of nurse and friend JJ Jones, and fishing buddies Bill Oaks and Steve Schmitt.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on a later date at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1901 NW 18th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. A wake will be held on the evening before the memorial at Smith and Kernke, 14624 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73134.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joseph and Kathleen Martin Memorial Scholarship Fund at Rosary School, 1901 NW 18th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73106 or Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, 1232 Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK, 73106 or online at www.Catholiccharitiesok.org