Gordon Richard Martin was born on February 23, 1925 to the late Richard V. and Evvie (Tinsley) Martin in St. Louis Missouri. He was the fifth of eleven children born to this union. He and his siblings: Bessie, Naomi, Marion, Joab, Vivian, Houston, Iretha, Annie, Alfonza and Freddie, were the fourth generation of the Martin family. Gordon was baptized on October 5, 1925 at Grace Evangelist Lutheran Church in St. Louis by Pastor John Fey. He was confirmed under Pastor William James Seabeck at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in St. Louis.