Damon G.H. Martin, M.D.

Damon George Harkey Martin, M.D., a dedicated family physician who served his community and patients for over six decades, peacefully passed from this life at the age of 87 on Sunday, September 2, 2018, at Deerview Nursing Center in Ola, AR.

He was born September 8, 1930, at Adona, AR, to the late George Otto Martin, Sr and Irene Harkey Martin. He maintained his residence in Adona throughout his life near his beloved baby brother the late G.O. Martin, Jr, his wife Cathy, and children Michelle and Michael. His grandfather Dr. G.A.E. Martin was a big influence on both him and his sister Marilyn in choosing a career path in the medical field. Dr. Martin attended Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine where he graduated in 1956 with a Doctorate of Medicine. After spending a short time in Salem, AR practicing medicine, Dr Martin returned in the fall of 1957 to Yell County. In 1967, Dr. Martin's Brother-in-Law George Tippin helped construct his medical clinic in Ola where he treated patients until very recently. Dr. Martin was a wonderful mentor to his nephew Dr. Philip Tippin who followed in his and his great grandfathers footsteps to become a physician. Dr. Martin was also one of the original founders of Yell County Nursing Home, now Deerview Nursing Center, in Ola along with his sister Marilyn Elizabeth Martin Tippin, R.N., George Tippin, and Dr. J.O. Pennington. Dr. Martin was a faithful member of the Ola Church of Christ.

Dr. Martin was a very skilled horticulturalist who loved to grow beautiful botanical specimens from seeds or even fresh cuttings. His plants and garden were a blessing, and he was blessed with a green thumb. He particularly enjoyed his beautiful roses which he and niece Michelle also planted behind his clinic. He loved animals, especially his cats, which he kept well fed both at home and at the clinic.

Dr. Martin was preceded in death by his parents George Otto, Sr and Irene Harkey Martin, his sister Marilyn Elizabeth Martin Tippin, R.N., younger brother George Otto Martin, Jr., and nephew Barry Neil Tippin.

Survivors include his sister-in-law Cathy Herring Martin, nephew Michael Martin, and niece Michelle Martin of Adona, nephew Ritchie L. Tippin and wife Gail of Ola and their children Zac Tippin, M.D. (Shelly) of Fort Smith and Ashley Warrick (Patrick) of Dardanelle, nephew Philip B. Tippin, M.D. and wife Michelle Banning-Tippin, M.D., and their children Taylor and Alex of Dardanelle, niece-in-law Diane Tippin of Ola and her children Dustin (Kim) of Missouri, Jon Dylan (Elyse) of Russellville, and Brittany Tippin West, R.N. (Dr. Geoff) of Berryville, and a host of great-great nieces and nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, September 7, 2018, at Ola Church of Christ with Bro. John McCourt officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Burial will be at Liberty Cemetery at Adona.

Pallbearers: Nephews and Great Nephews listed above.

Honorary Pallbearers: Sue Duvall (employee since 1967), Alicia Alcala, Kathy Parker, Sherry Carter Pitts and Chambers Memorial Hospital Medical Staff.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ola Church of Christ P.O. Box 97, Ola, AR 72853.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com