Roger Dean Martin was born on June 19, 1967 in Salem, Arkansas to Jessie and Clara (Pressley) Martin of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. Roger passed away on November 23, 2016, at his home in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 49 years.
Roger graduated from the Mammoth Spring High School as co-valedictorian in 1985. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, earning a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree.
Roger’s interest in politics started at an early age. As a junior in High School, he was selected to be a page for Congressman Bill Alexander in Washington, DC. Roger worked in the “War Room” in Little Rock, Arkansas during former President Clinton’s first bid for office. He worked in Washington, DC as an intern for Senator Dale Bumpers and in the office of Secretary of The Treasury, Lloyd Bentsen. Roger later worked in President Clinton’s office in Little Rock, Arkansas as director of special projects.
In 1998 he graduated from law school in Little Rock, Arkansas. As a Corporate lawyer, he lived and worked in Atlanta, Georgia and Dallas, Texas until he had to take an early retirement due to health problems.
Roger is survived by his parents, sister, Rhonda Martin of Mountain Home, Arkansas, sister, Leah Ann Iaguessa and brother-in-law, Tony of Ash Grove, Missouri, niece, Anisha Martin and friend, Evan Smethurst of Los Gatos, California, and nephew, Joseph Iaguessa of Ash Grove, Missouri. Other survivors include aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Special and loyal friends include Dan Hale, Jeff Hinkson, Chris Lowden, Alex Remington and Rob Wilson, all of Dallas, Texas.
Roger treated everyone like he wanted to be treated and was a loving son, brother, uncle and a loyal friend to many.
Funeral service for Roger Dean Martin , age 49, of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas will be held, Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri, with Brother Jared Russell officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 PM until service time.
Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Carter Funeral Home in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers donations are requested for Best Friends Animal Society at www.bestfriends.org or American Red Cross at www.redcross.org. These were two of Roger’s favorite charities.
November 27, 2016 @ 11:02 am
Roger was an inspiration to me. He is one, that if he was only a friend, he would stand out as the person in my life that impacted my life the most and for the good. Rarely are there individuals like Roger that leaves you changed for the rest of your life. In this case, I am privileged that life is such, we were cousins and shared our childhood together. Roger encouraged me to always be better and inspired me with the accomplishments he was able to achieve. I am a better person just because, chance would have it, we were cousins and grew up together. He understood the value of laughing. Roger was brilliant. Roger always made me feel valued. I can only hope that life lessons learned from Roger, can live on throughout my life carrying on his spirit and legacy.
November 28, 2016 @ 6:41 pm
Roger was so many good things. Smart, funny, caring, determined, compassionate, honest and a good friend. I had the pleasure of having Roger as my house-mate in Atlanta for almost 2 years. We had both recently experienced a life challenge and it was so wonderful to have Roger (and Dawson) around to laugh, cook dinner and just enjoy each other’s company. We shared so many good times, with friends, going on trips or just watching TV together. We lost contact over the recent years, but Roger will always be in my heart and thinking of his antics and great sense of humor bring a smile to my face. Roger, I pray you rest in peace and I will always remember and be thankful for knowing you.
November 30, 2016 @ 4:42 pm
So very sorry for your loss of this special young man.
He was always kind and thoughtful.
Deepest condolence