RICHARD LEE “COACH” MARTI

Richard Lee “Coach” Marti, 83, of Farmington, Arkansas, was born on November 15, 1942, in Springfield, Missouri, to Jesse Wayne Marti and Vivian Pearl Elsey Marti. He went to be with his Savior on Tuesday, December 16th surrounded by his family, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, and lifelong service to others.

Coach was a gifted athlete and an even greater mentor. He was an All-Conference selection in both football and basketball at Mt. Vernon High School in Missouri. He continued his athletic career at Fort Scott Junior College in Kansas, where he led the nation in scoring as a halfback, and later played for Pittsburg State University on their 1961 National Championship team. Coach also earned recognition as a 3rd Team All-American at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Coach devoted more than three decades to education and coaching at Lamar High School in Missouri from 1973 until 2008. During that time, he coached boys and girls basketball, football, boys and girls track, and golf, winning over 500 basketball games. He also taught Physical Education and Driver’s Education and served as the sponsor of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In recognition of his impact, Coach was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Even in retirement, he continued to serve as a substitute teacher and volunteer girls basketball coach at Fayetteville High School for an additional 12 years.

A man of deep faith, Coach served as a deacon at First Christian Church in Lamar and remained actively involved in his community throughout his life. He founded an annual 10K race to support Fellowship of Christian Athletes—an event that continues to this day.

Above all else, Coach loved God and his family. He never met a stranger, was kind-hearted to everyone he encountered, and touched countless lives through his encouragement, mentorship, and generosity. He was always there for his family and took great joy in their lives. He was also an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Coach is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Jogene Reed Marti; his daughter Michelle (Dwayne) Calhoun of Fayetteville; his sons Richard Bryce Marti of Fayetteville and Brett Reed (Debbie) Marti of Springfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Ashlee (Tim) Moses of Greenbrier, Sara (David) Teague of Springdale, Nicholas Calhoun of Fayetteville, and Ryleigh, Makenzie, and Greyson Marti of Springfield, Missouri; and three great-grandchildren, Caden and Sadie Moses of Greenbrier and Sophie Teague of Springdale. He is also survived by his brother Bob (Barbara) Marti of Sun City, Arizona.

Coach was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Vivian Marti, and his sister, Linda Batson.

A visitation will be held Saturday, December 20, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., both at Farmington First, located at 589 Rheas Mill Road, Farmington, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a donation to the Coach Marti Lamar FCA Memorial Fund.

Richard Lee “Coach” Marti will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the lives he shaped, the faith he lived, and the love he shared.

To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com