Thomas Clifton Martin, Jr.

He was born in Lamesa, Texas on February 13, 1935, to Thomas C (T.C.) Martin and Elizabeth Niemeyer Martin. At the beginning of World War II, the TC Martins moved to California, where Tom started in public school.

The family returned to San Antonio, Texas where Tom and his younger brother Robert attended Charles Graebner Elementary until they moved to the Klondike community in Dawson County, Texas at the end of the war. Tom was baptized in the Klondike Baptist Church on October 12, 1949.

The family spent nine years in the Klondike school system and Tom graduated from Klondike High School in 1953. Tom played in the Texas High School All Star Basketball game held in San Angelo in 1953.

In June of 1953, the Martin family moved to Slaton, Texas and Tom attended Texas Tech where he graduated in 1957, with a degree in Math.

After a brief Coaching career in McCamey, Texas, Tom was drafted into the military service.

He was sent to Ft. Carson, Colorado where he served in the Honor Guard. Later, he was sent to Ft. Holabird, Maryland, to train in Military Intelligence School. After training there, he served two years as an Analyst in the MIA. He was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, where he met and married Carolyn Henderson. In 1962, their son, Larry was born. On Tom’s discharge from the service, the family moved to Lubbock, Texas where Tom taught at Adkins Jr. High for Lubbock ISD.

in 1966, Tom went to work for the Texas Comptroller in Austin under Robert Calvert. He served in the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office Sales Tax Information Service for over 26 years. He also ran his own bookkeeping business, Martin Bookkeeping Services.

While living in Austin, he met and married Celia Byrd, and they enjoyed many happy years together, watching NBA basketball, seeing operas, raising birds and cats, and dining out almost every day at their favorite restaurants.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dick Martin of Austin.

Tom is survived by his wife, Celia; his son Larry; and four grandchildren of Austin, and his brother Robert (Bob) of Levelland; several cousins; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, with a funeral service to follow at 3:30 PM, on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at Cook- Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Interment to immediately follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mobile Loaves and Fishes or the Salvation Army.

Condolences may be made at www.cookwaldenforesoaks.com