Lee Martin

Lee Martin (born Marion Lee Martin) 4/13/1933 - 1/20/2018. Lee, 84, of Waco, died of complications of Alzheimer’s. He will be interred at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, in Killeen, Texas.

Born in Seymour, TX to Jessie Lee and Isaac Earl Martin. He graduated from Seymour High School and attended Texas Tech University. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Edward Earl Martin, his sister in law Ruth Martin and his son Monte Lee Martin. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Billie Marie Lewis Martin, his son Lewis Todd Martin, his daughter Cindy Lee Martin, his daughter-in-law Cynthia Holmes Martin, grandchildren Spencer Holmes Martin and wife Sarah, Leighann Martin Wiggins and husband Brett, A. Zachary Martin Hanson, great grandchild Benjamin Martin and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lee and Billie met at his brother Edward Earl and Ruth’s wedding. Ruth (Barnhart) and Billie were good friends in high school.

Lee served in the Army from 1956 -1958 in the US and Germany. Upon return to US in 1958, they had to wait in New York for a Volkswagon they had shipped from Europe. Once the car arrived Lee, Billie and Monte piled in and headed back to Texas. Lee commented once that they stopped to get the first of many Dr. Pepper sodas, in Kentucky (after 18 months of being Dr. Pepper-less).

After the army, he farmed in Pecos. Then worked in the agricultural industry -seed sales for Paymaster Seed /Anderson Clayton and Cargill. In the early 1980’s he became a financial / estate planner. Lee’s dream was to help middle American families be financially independent. He was a Mason, a Shriner, a Boy Scout (did a Philmont trek) and a Scout leader, a volunteer fireman in Woodway TX, he served as an ombudsman for the elderly in local nursing homes, was a member of the Confederate Air Force chapter in Waco and a volunteer at Providence hospital. Dad gave blood regularly, giving well over 10 gallons of blood.

Family was always very important to him and he loved his children and grandchildren, always looking for a way to connect with them. One example, around 2007 he got PADI (scuba diving) certified, to have something fun to do with his grandkids. He treated his family to several lovely skiing and summer time trips over the years.

His family will miss him deeply and are so thankful to Jesus for Lee’s life, faithfulness and care.