Martin Ray Collier

Martin (Marty) Ray Collier, 66 of Lamar, Missouri passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family, after a 7 month battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer. Marty was born March 8, 1954 in Enid, Oklahoma to Weldon and Patsy (Alban) Collier. He graduated from Weatherford High School, Weatherford, Oklahoma in 1972. Marty joined the United States Army in 1973 and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri; and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was stationed in Germany where he served as a Lance Missile Crewman. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Weatherford and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Technology from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. During his years in Oklahoma, he learned the carpentry trade, rough necked on oil rigs, and owned a fencing company. In 1988, he moved to Lamar, MO to help care for his ailing brother, Steve, as he battled cancer. Shortly after Steve’s death, Marty accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during a Bible study at Steve and Luella’s house and joined Bethany Baptist (Grace Place) church where he served faithfully in many capacities for the next 30 years. In 1991, Marty married Sharon Reynolds in Lamar, MO. Sharon, and her son, Bryan joined Marty and began a new life together. Shortly thereafter they were blessed with two daughters: Sara in 1992 and Rachel in 1994. Marty used his carpentry skills and spent the next 20 years operating Hire A Hand Home Repair in and around Lamar, MO until his retirement. Marty is survived by his wife Sharon, of the home, children Sara (Hayden) Laepple, and Bryan (Katie) Bass both of Lamar, his mother Patsy Collier of Oklahoma, siblings Brenda Brunker, Cara (Mike) Wheeler, and Eric Collier all of Oklahoma. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Daniel, Bethany, Charity, Kaylee, and Kynzie Bass and Seth, Mira and Camille Rae Laepple. He was preceded in death by his father, Weldon, brother, Steve Collier, daughter Rachel and brother in law, Johnie Brunker. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday April 24, 2020 at Barton City Cemetery, under the direction of Konantz Warden Funeral Home. A live stream broadcast will be made of the ceremony via Facebook Live from the Konantz Warden Facebook Page. Online condolences can be left at konantzwarden.com. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Gideon’s International. In an effort to make everyone more comfortable during this time of social distancing, the memorial book, for signing will be place outside under the covered drive on the north side of the funeral home from 9 am to 5 pm. It will also be inside of the building. Please bring a pen.