Keiko T. Martin, 94, of Lawton, Oklahoma, passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023 in her home in the presence of her oldest daughter and caregiver, Norma Durgin, of Sterling, Oklahoma and her granddaughter Stephanie Day of Edmond, Oklahoma. She was known for her big heart, infectious smile and witty sense of humor. She was a person who was grateful for every act of kindness shown, no matter how small and for the air that gave her life everyday. She was indebted to the Universal Law, to her Gohonzon, and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

A memorial service for Mrs. Martin will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2023 in the chapel of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. SGI-USA men's division leader, Jerry Rutherford of Oklahoma City will conduct the service. Visitation will be held on Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The service may viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Keiko was born in Fukuoka, Japan, on January 25, 1929, to Taki Tanioka and Keizo Nakagawa Tanioka. She began her education in 1936 through 1952. In 1954, as a hospital telephone operator, she met Curtis J. Martin, a soldier in the U.S. Army, they married in April 1955. In 1957, she began her new life in America, where she had to learn new customs, dietaries, monies, etc., and watched television to learn the English language. Military support groups were also of great value in the everyday life of being a military wife and raising a military family. At different duty assignments throughout the United States and Germany, together, Keiko and Curtis raised three daughters and one son . In 1961 she became a citizen of the United States. While stationed in Augsburg, Germany, in 1965, Mrs. Martin became a devoted member to NSA, Nichiren Shoshu of America, until 1991 when the Soka-Gakkai was excommunicated. She was a dedicated member to the Soka-Gakkai from 1991 to present day, where she was faithful to Nicheren Diashonin's Buddhism and Kosen-rufu, spreading the word of peace in oneself, family, community, country and the world. She was a founding member, a pioneer, in establishing NSA in local communities. In Mrs. Martin's travels to Japan, Europe and all over the United States including Hawaii, she met with Soka-Gakkai members, as well as world leaders adherent to world peace. In 2001, she was recognized by the General Director, Daniel Nagashima, for her longstanding and meritorious contribution to peace, liberty and happiness of humanity. In 2008, Mrs. Martin visited Berlin, Germany and stood at Checkpoint Charlie, where ideology was once divided, then common ground of peace-time came in November 1989. She was constantly amazed at what she saw, heard or experienced in her life span. Mrs. Martin continued her education in Lawton, taking two courses of flower arranging at the Great Plains Tech Center. She also took accounting classes at Cameron University.

Mrs. Martin is survived by her daughter Norma Durgin and husband Don of Sterling, Oklahoma, daughter Cathy Nale of Edmond, Oklahoma, daughter Janet Smith of Arlington, Texas and son Glenn and wife Lisa of Cache, Oklahoma, nieces, Rumiko Maruta of Fukuoka, Japan and Chiharu Tanioka of Tokyo, Japan, eight grandchildren and their spouses, ten great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson and one on the way, three great nephews and numerous great-great nephews and nieces.

Mrs. Martin is preceded in death by her husband of only 27 years, both parents, a brother Keinosuke Tanioka, and a sister Shizuko Tanioka.

The family would like to thank Complete Hospice for their tireless care in their time of need.

Charitable contributions may be made to CompleteOK Home Health and Hospice of Lawton, 5108 W. Gore Blvd., Suite 2B, Lawton, OK 73505.