Thursday, October 1, 2026
Dr. Joel Robert Martin, 74, passed away Sept. 23 at his farm in Hico, Texas.
Joel was known for his generosity, love of God, and faithful friendship, but perhaps most of all his ability to tell a great story. A multigenerational Texan, Joel was born in Coleman County Oct. 31, 1951, to Dr. Jesse Ray Martin and Lois Martin. He attended Coleman High School, followed by Abilene Christian University, where he graduated in 1974. While at Abilene Christian University, Joel met his wife Deborah Susan Martin, and the two were married in 1975. The two moved to Houston, where Joel attended and graduated from the University of Texas School of Dentistry in 1978. Joel and Debbie opened Joel’s dental practice in Granbury, where Joel served the community for over 40 years before retiring in 2021. Joel lived in Granbury until Debbie’s death in 2023 after over 48 years of marriage, at which point Joel moved to his family farm in Hico.
Joel was an avid outdoorsman, loving to hunt and fish, but particularly in the company of a large group of friends. Joel’s humor was among his best-known traits, and his innate comedic timing made his delivery of a story, joke, or word of encouragement all the more unique and meaningful. Above all, Joel was committed to Christ, as he frequently demonstrated through quiet altruism in both his professional and private life.
Joel is survived by his children: Amanda Richards and her husband Mark, Jessica Kindberg and her husband Josh, and Garrett Martin and his wife Danielle; grandchildren: Grant Kilgore, Rhett Kilgore, Everley Richards, Sloane Kindberg, Fiona Kindberg, Camille Martin, and Cora Martin; brothers: Dr. James “Jim” Martin and his wife Mignon and Dr. Mark Martin and his wife Cebia; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Services: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at the Granbury Church of Christ. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1 p.m., also at the Granbury Church of Christ.
Services under the direction of Wiley Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Granbury Church of Christ, Christian Service Center.
