Lewis “Junior” Martin lived as a Wyoming cowboy his whole life. He grew up on a ranch in Hilliard, Wyoming. At a very young age he developed a love of horses, rodeo, ranching, hunting, and working in the mountains.
In 1941, he joined the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1945. Upon returning home, he met and married Virginia Perkins. In 1946, they homesteaded at Heart Mountain, near Cody, where they ranched and operated a successful guide/outfitter business.
In 1960, they purchased a ranch near Fort Bridger, Wyoming where Junior spent his time in the saddle ranching, rodeoing, and working for the United States Forrest Service. Junior was a true steward of the land and was recognized for his persistence, dedication, and commitment to improving his ranching operation. Junior roped calves and rode bulls in the rodeo arena and was well known and loved as a competitor in the arena and in his later years, as a supporter at Junior rodeos, High School rodeos, College rodeos, and Pro-rodeos.
He roped and rode horses up until he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 93. Junior was a cowboy through and through, loving the western way of life and displaying the character of a true cowboy. He loved ranching, horses, rodeo, and the cowboy way of life spending most of his life in the saddle. He was loved and respected by many and inspired others to display the characteristics and values of a true cowboy.