Dan Earl Martens (1945-2025)

Dan Earl Martens, 80, of Dallas, Texas went to be with the Lord on August 19, 2025.

Born on March 27, 1945, in Oklahoma City to Estele Gibbons and Frank Milford Martens, Dan graduated from Northwest Classen High School before attaining a degree in social science from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 1967. While at SMU, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, where he served as Vice President.

The conflict in Vietnam escalated in 1965, and Dan made the decision to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) for the US Navy. After graduating from OCS in 1967, Lieutenant Dan served as Missile Battery Officer and Officer of the Deck on the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) in the South China Sea.

Upon his return stateside, he returned to SMU where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1974 and spent the rest of his life practicing law. While in law school, he met the love of his life, Susan Jo Farmer. They were set up on a blind date the Tuesday before the OU v Texas game in 1973. They then attended the crushing defeat of Texas by OU, and the rest is history! They married on April 3, 1976.

He and Susie Jo raised two wonderful children, Katy and Daniel. Dan coached soccer, basketball, and baseball for his son and proudly presented his daughter at her National Charity League Senior Presentation.

He and his family were charter members of St. Andrew Methodist Church, where he became an original member of the Christian Living Sunday School Class. Together with Susie Jo, he volunteered with The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and Journey of Hope in Collin County. He also served as President of the Boards for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and Journey of Hope.

Dan loved to hunt pheasants in the fall and golf and watch fireworks at the Kennett Country Club in the summer. He loved a good family tradition, like driving to east Texas every Black Friday to choose and cut down the Christmas tree with his family or taking a drive to Tioga for Clark's Barbeque.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years and his parents. He is survived by daughter Kathryn "Katy" White and her husband Cory; son Daniel Martens and his wife Erin; and his grandchildren, Hannah and Emily White, and Travis, Coleman, and Macie Cate Martens.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 4 at 3 pm at St Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities or St Andrew Methodist Church.