Lewis Martin

 

Lewis Martin
Lewis Martin

Lewis Martin, 90, of Amarillo, TX passed away on October 28, 2021.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd, Amarillo, Texas. Graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon, Texas. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary at Polk Street United Methodist Church, Amarillo, Texas. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Lewis was born on February 14, 1931, in Seymour, Texas to Lewis Turner “LT” and Ethel Keeter Martin. He attended Texas Tech University on an athletic scholarship for basketball where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Lewis began his career coaching basketball in Panhandle, Texas and met his beloved wife “Kay Babe”. Lewis and Kay Carol Williams married on June 28th, 1957 in Panhandle. Early in his career, Lewis coached at several high schools before being hired as Assistant Principal at Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas where he worked for 27 years. Lewis was passionate for helping kids, and he loved his time working with both students and teachers. He was respected as a firm but fair administrator and was selected to the Tascosa High School Rebel Hall of Fame.

Fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors were hobbies for both Lewis and Kay. They went on countless adventures together and with friends and family. Lewis was a founding member and President of the Amarillo Bass Club. His favorite fishing tournament each year was the Husband and Wife Tournament. He had a life-long enthusiasm for sports: both participating and watching. Lewis was an excellent cook and greatly enjoyed cooking for others. He embraced southern hospitality and welcomed anyone nearby to a place at the table. Lewis was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church. Spending time with family was Lewis’s greatest pleasure and a top priority. He deeply loved his family and was always available to extend a helping hand, some wisdom, encouragement, and a hug. He will be greatly missed by many.

Lewis was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings: sisters, Annie Strother, Grace Strother, Fay Chappell, and Winnie Chappell; and brothers, Samuel Martin, and Frank “Rowdy” Martin.

Survivors include his wife, Kay Martin of Amarillo, TX; children, Barry Martin and wife Caytie Martin of Amarillo, TX, Cindy Ball and husband Jack Ball of Austin, TX, and Lance Martin and wife Shae Martin of Farmersville, TX; grandchildren, Chad Martin, Channing and husband Samuel Moore, Kayla Ball, McKenna and husband Colton McCarly, Kamri and husband Garrett Notzon, Harrison Martin, Kade Ball, and Ellery Martin; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

20 Replies to “Lewis Martin”

  1. Lewis attended Dimmitt High School, where he had many friends. I am proud to have been a member of that group. It was my pleasure to know his entire family (s) that resided in Dimmitt.
    Several years ago, a very small group of DHS former students decided to have a reunion. Little did we realize that it would become an annual event and that Kay and Lewis would provide the required leadership to make the reunion a continued successful event for many years to come.
    There is a saying that was common during the early years of our lives: “Behind every successful man is a supportive woman”. Lewis certainly enjoyed the tremendous uncompromising support of Kay during their lives together. Thank you Kay for not only the support and hard work you provided for Lewis, but for helping so many others along the way!!! Hoyt

  2. Uncle Lewis, This stand out to me because it happened to me,we would go out to Greenbelt Lake ,all of our Uncles, Aunt’s cousins well me,and cousin got the boat to fish my cousin cast ,and the fishhook got stuck in my nose ,Uncle Lewis yell to stop.Uncle Lewis came and got me and cut the fishhook out of my nose he comfort me .he will be greatly missed LOVE YOU Uncle Lewis.

  3. Surprisingly, I don’t recall too many interactions with him–not that they didn’t happen. But he was a good man and sincere in his actions and belief.
    He was often in our “Auto Mechanics” class–Mr. Pyeatt, the teacher, and him were seasoned bass fisherman with plenty of stories to tell. Who knows if were true! Tall tales and a good yarn were always in season.
    I last saw him at the Class of ’77 graduation party in the YMCA. He offered a firm handshake and a truly heartfelt congratulations. He then also asked about my future plans. His interest and concern were always sincere. He truly cared!

  4. I met Mr Martin when I was a basketball player at Amarillo College with his daughter Cindy. I barely knew him but he was very kind to me and invited me to have dinner at his home with his family as he knew I was from out of town and away from my family. I have always remembered the kindness of the Martin family. Prayers for Mr Martin and his family.
    Maria Linggi

  5. Lewis Martin was a good and compassionate man. I was a graduate of Tascosa High School in 1970. He was kind to me when my mother Thelma Keith died in October in my senior year. He had known me from my participation in advertising sales for the school annual. I frequently was given permission by him to leave campus to sell community asd. He was always interested in who I had seen and talked to. After mom passed some days I felt overwhelmed and his office was a place of solace. After graduation I’d see him in the community. In the early 80’s he stopped to chat with me when I was a USPS letter carrier. I’ll never forget him. My condolences go to his family and friends and I’m sure he’s enjoying heaven with his loved ones and friends!

  6. I remember Mr. Martin very well class of ‘76. He had a positive attitude a presence that was to be respected.

  7. Class of 77 and my one encounter with him was in the downstairs hall before school where several of us got caught with water pistols. He shook his head and told us to put them away immediately. I can not remember anyone ever accusing him of playing favorites or being unfair.

    Having worked in education for over 30 years, I can safely say there is very few administrators of his caliber anywhere.

  8. I met Lewis Martin when his daughter, Cindy, played for the Amarillo College Lady Badgers basketball team in 1981-1982 when I was the team manager. What a great man. His influence at Tascosa will continue onward. My prayers and condolences to the Martin family on the passing of their patriarch. May he rest in the peace of Christ.

  9. Mr Martin left many great impressions on the students at Tascosa. He was a fair and caring man. Rest easy good sir. Condolences to the family for the loss.

  10. “Uncle Louie” as we affectionally called him, will be missed. I only had one run in with Mr. Martin while at Tascosa and was given a rather stern talking to and he reminded me that I needed to conduct myself in the “Rebel Way”. He was also close to my father and my older brother who was a “star” on the basketball and baseball teams which seemed to help me when it came to dealing with Mr. Martin. I’m now 68…just had our 50 year reunion. Funny how things change with age. Mr. Martin would have only been 40 when I was a senior. He seemed old at the time of course to an 18 year old kid, but he was just a young man.
    Condolences to the family and know the he was a big influence on many young people.
    P.S. We were always more afraid of Miss Willie.

  11. Fantastic man.

    He is one of the ones that helped me onto a positive path. Mr. Martin’s family should know that he made a difference in many young men like me when I was at Tascosa.

    Thank you and rest easy Mr. Martin

    John Eastland
    Class of ‘86

  12. Lewis Martin was a very good man. At a recent reunion I heard stories on how he influenced many young men when they needed a father in their lives. “Well done good and faithful servant. . . Enter into the joy of your Master. “
    Tascosa Class of 1978

  13. Mr. Martin was one of the great educators that had an influence on me and why I chose education as a career. I remember being sent to the office a few times for various infractions and always knew we could get our discipline delayed (swats) if we started talking about bass fishing or hunting. May God Bless his family during this time. Rebel class of ‘82.

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