Truman “Martin” Ward came screaming into this world on June 12, 1955, to his parents Margret Ann Martin and Truman Ward.

From the first cry until the last breath on May 17, 2025, everyone who knew Martin knew he was a special soul. He was always ready with his one liners to make everyone around him laugh.

Martin left behind a slough of loved ones, including his first best friend, his brother Roy. Through thick and even thicker, they were “those Ward boys” in every sense of the words.

He also leaves behind his two favorite daughters. He frequently told each one separately they were his favorite never knowing the other knew the truth. Jamie, his first born and Christina “Jake”, his baby girl. Both titles his girls wear so proudly.

The girls always thought they were the favorites until his grandchildren entered the stage. Madison “JoShell”, Jon, Tay, Jaiden “Pumpkin”, Phoenix, Tov, Rocky and the newest GREAT grandchild Lilly were really what made this 6’5 giant man into a big ol’ cream puff.

Martin worked hard and played even harder all 69 years on this earth. He spent a majority of his life working for SEMO Electric and was a member of the IBEW.

He was a proud blue-collar man, attended the Methodist church a few times a year to remind the good Lord he meant well but spent triple that time at “Gisi’s” on the hill hoping he wasn’t watching.

Martin leaves behind so many friends we couldn’t even begin to count, but that was him. He was everyone’s friend. He was someone you could count on and that will always be his biggest legacy. “You do for your friends and family what you’d want them to do for you”.

Though we weren’t ready to let him go, his parents, grandparents, special friend Sandy, grandson Tay, baby girl Shawna and his white poodle Amanda were ready to have him in his eternal home.

A celebration of life has been planned for Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Visitation from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with funeral starting at 11:00 a.m. Internment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

The family asks that you proudly wear your favorite Harley t-shirt and jeans in honor of Martin’s last hoorah.