12 Mar KARA Mourns the Passing of Former Board Member Jerry Martin
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) mourns the March 10, 2024 passing of Jerry Joseph Martin, 69, of Salina, Kansas. Martin was a longstanding member of KARA throughout his time working with LDI, highlighted by the association awarding him with its Distinguished Service Award in 2012.
The excerpt below was written for Martin’s Distinguished Service Award recognition.
Born in Salina, Martin spent much of his childhood helping on his grandfather’s farm near Solomon. This started his love for agriculture at a very young age. After graduating high school in 1972, he went to work for his father who owned a heating and cooling business for two years before starting a 38-year career in agribusiness.
In 1974, Martin joined Big A Manufacturing as a sales coordinator and dispatcher. Just a few years later, he became a sales representative covering the state of Kansas. In 1984, Ag-Chem purchased Big A, and 10 years later he became Regional Manager covering much of the Midwest and Western United States. Even after the AGCO acquisition in 2001, Martin continued in his role as Regional Manager.
Aside from his busy career, Martin gave years of dedication and service to KARA. He served on the board of directors from 1987-1992 and was instrumental in starting the Chairman’s Golf Outing.
Additionally, Martin was an original exhibitor at the first Kansas Agri Business Expo in 1986. He was a steadfast supporter of KARA, ensuring his company was sponsoring events and his employees were serving on committees and engaged.
He will be greatly missed.