Kerry Morris Martin

Kerry was born on September 21, 1935, in Grant, Louisiana, to the late Gilbert and Versie (Sigler) Martin. He graduated from Sulphur High School in 1954, where he was active in FFA, Biology Club, Radio Club, and Future Business Leaders of America. He also participated in State and Southwest Louisiana High School Rodeos, and was a proud member of the football (All Southwest District—3rd Team), basketball, and track teams.

After high school, Kerry remained in Sulphur and began a 37½-year career with Bell South Telephone. Starting as a lineman, he worked his way up to supervisor - a role he held for most of his career. It was at Bell South that he met his future wife, Emily Jane Fontenot. After many, many rejections, Jane finally agreed to a date, and, as Kerry liked to say, “It was all she wrote.” They married in 1963 and shared 60 wonderful years together until Jane’s passing in January 2024.

In 1965, Kerry became a father when their daughter, Donna Gail, was born. Eleven and a half years later, their "miracle baby," Dyann Lyn, arrived in 1976. Together, Kerry and Jane built a loving home in Sulphur, where they raised their two girls.

Kerry retired from Bell South in 1991 and soon after became Director of Sulphur Parks and Recreation. He was instrumental in improvement projects at the Sulphur Golf Course, the Maplewood area parks, and the early development of SPAR. After four years, he stepped down to enjoy retirement with Jane.

Throughout his life, Kerry gave generously of his time through volunteer work with the Telephone Pioneers, Camp Blue Bird, Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots, Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives, Habitat for Humanity, and many other causes.

Kerry and Jane spent their retirement years traveling and playing cards with friends. In 2010, Kerry became a grandfather, and his grandson, Sailor Royce, became the joy of his life. Sailor kept him young, and Kerry poured his love and wisdom into every moment they shared.

Kerry will be remembered for his storytelling, his ever-ready jokes, and his kind words. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather - admired by all who knew him for his honesty, humor, and compassion. In his later years, Kerry became a member of Maplewood United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his daughter, Dyann Antony, and her husband, Steven, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; his grandson, Sailor Antony; and his siblings, Donald Martin and wife, Lenora, and Martha Petry and husband, Artie, all of Sulphur. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emily Jane Martin, and daughter, Donna Martin.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home, with Rev. James Moore officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com