House Engrossed

Tommie Rae Martin; death resolution

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

2021

HOUSE RESOLUTION 2017

A RESOLUTION

on the death of tommie rae martin.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Tommie Rae Martin, a long-standing leader in Gila County, passed away on December 10, 2020 at the age of sixty-nine.

Born on January 11, 1951, Tommie was the eldest of four children.  She graduated from Payson High School in 1968, where she was student council president and class salutatorian.  Tommie graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 1978 with a degree from the agriculture division of the engineering college. In addition to her formal education, she was a lifelong learner who pursued her diverse interests with passion.

Tommie's life experience included working on ranches in Wickenburg, Arizona and Wyoming, working for the Payson Roundup, managing the Tonto Natural Bridge and attending trade school where she earned a barber license.  While in barber school, Tommie met and fell deeply in love with Ronnie Martin, a farmer and ironworker who lived in Buckeye, Arizona.  They soon became inseparable and married on August 12, 1972 at the Tonto Natural Bridge. The couple lived, worked and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe.

Tommie had several careers, including owning and operating the Payson Barber Shop in the early 1970s.  She also served as executive secretary for the Arizona Cattle Growers' Association, worked as an associate for the Savory Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico and owned a natural resource consulting business that operated throughout western North America, Mexico and Africa.  Tommie was nationally recognized as a facilitator of resource management groups in which the guiding principle was that a decision must be a recognizable win for everyone involved.  This guideline is illustrated in decisions she made and promoted throughout her life. 

Tommie distinguished herself as an outstanding public servant. She served on many boards and commissions throughout her life, bringing the plight of rural western counties to the attention of national leaders.  Tommie also was elected as Gila County Supervisor in 2004 and took office in January 2005.  She won her fifth term in August 2020.  A relentless advocate for her community, Tommie always put the needs of others before her own.  A natural leader, Tommie championed natural resource issues, regional water problems and infrastructure for residents.  Her terms in office brought many accolades, including being elected president of the Western Interstate Region affiliate of the National Association of Counties and local recognition as "Woman of the Year" in the Payson Roundup.

Preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Patricia Cline, Tommie is survived by her husband of forty-eight years, Ronnie, her sister Jerrie (Tony) Tipton, her brother Jon (Elizabeth) Cline, her sister Jacque (Steve) Sanders and a large extended family and many friends.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

      That the Members of the House of Representatives express sincere regret at the passing of Tommie Rae Martin and extend their deepest condolences to her family and many friends.