THOMAS HAROLD MARTINNovember 2, 1946 – September 11, 2018
Tom was born November 2, 1946 in Irving, Texas to Leola Brown Martin and James Harold Martin. He was an only child.

Married to Sandra Finney Martin for 10 years and had two wonderful children, Angela and Ryan. There are now six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Tom met Barbara Quigley in 1979 while taking a college course at Northlake College in Irving, Texas. They were married six months later and just celebrated 39 years together in August 2018.

As a teenager, Tom worked in the family business located behind their home, the Hill & Martin Ice Plant and Grocery Store. Then as a young adult, Tom worked as an electrical draftsman at Square D for 12 years. During this time, he also had some part-time employment including serving as a reserve police officer and motorcycle escort.

Tom’s lifetime career was with Cutler Hammer, the electrical distribution division of Eaton Corporation. Starting in 1980 in Trussville, Alabama until retiring in 2006 in Grapevine, Texas, the company went through many ownership changes and reorganizations. Thus, he held many positions including design, sales, and management.

Volunteering and community service was something that Tom enjoyed. He taught boating safety classes and performed lake safety patrols on Lake Grapevine while serving in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. While living in Lindsay, Oklahoma, Tom contributed many hours at Lindsay United Methodist Church including assisting with the local food bank, vacation bible school, the pumpkin patch, and storm clean up. After Katrina, he also assisted the shelters in Oklahoma City.

Tom joined the Lake Kiowa Kiwanis Club in 2013. He was very involved with the BBQ fundraiser as well as various activities and playground projects at Callisburg Elementary School. He was voted Kiwanian of the year for 2014-2015 and served as President for 2015-2016.

Cars have always been one of Tom’s passions; there have been several Corvettes, Mustangs and a 1940 Ford Truck. Boating was also a favorite pastime. Six years were spent on Lake Grapevine in “Sweet Freedom”, a 37’ foot houseboat. Tom also enjoyed NASCAR and many races were spent at Texas Motor Speedway Infield.

Tom and Barbara have taken over 25 cruises together. The most recent was to Hawaii in May 2018. This was the most memorable as they experienced the 6.9 earthquake that shook Hilo the day after the volcano erupted.

Tom has touched many hearts during his life and will be missed by many, many friends and family.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, at the Lake Kiowa Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations be made to Lake Kiowa Kiwanis Club, Indian Creek Volunteer Fire Department, or Lindsay United Methodist Church.