Billy Don Martin

Billy Don Martin died on Saturday, April 18, 2020 in Rosenburg, Texas. He was born on February 12, 1945, in Victoria, Texas, to Clytus Wilburn Martin and Alta Louise (Meek) Martin. He graduated from Industrial High School in 1964. During the Vietnam War, he served in the Air Force as an enlisted man and jet engine mechanic and was stationed primarily at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, while also spending time in Thailand. He graduated from Texas A&I University with a Bachelors of Arts (1976) and a Masters of Arts (1978), both in Education with an emphasis in Industrial Arts. Upon graduation he taught industrial arts briefly at Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, and then at his Alma Mater, Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas. Thereafter he moved to Rosenberg, Texas, where he taught technology for decades at George Junior High School. Not long after moving to Rosenberg, he met Barbara Ann (Howell), whom he married on July 23, 1983 at the Graeber Road Church of Christ. Don and Barbara enjoyed 30 loving years of marriage together until her death on July 21, 2013. During his tenure at George Junior High, Don led teams annually to the Texas State Technology Contest, taking home numerous team and individual state champion titles every year. In his final year of competition, he led a state champion team to the inaugural nationals technology competition in Nashville, Tennessee, where the team took third place. In 1979, the Texas Industrial Arts Association recognized him as the Outstanding Regional Association Industrial Arts Teacher. In 2002, the Association of Texas Technology Education awarded him the statewide Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award, the highest honor in his field, at Texas A&M University. In 2010, the Gulf Coast Technology Education Association bestowed upon him their inaugural Honorary Lifetime Membership. Don was a beloved member of the Graeber Road Church of Christ. He had a large number of friends there, whom he considered family. He especially enjoyed hunting with the “Stump Bubbas” and getting coffee with the “R.O.M.E.O.’s” (Retired Old Men Eating Out), both groups of friends from his church. He was a gifted singer who performed frequently at weddings and other social events. He was also a gifted storyteller, having authored the book, Little Stories: A Legacy or Learning, Laughing, and Loving. Don was preceded in death by his loving wife, Barbara, and his grandson, Caleb Martin. He is survived by two sons, Michael and Clay; his stepdaughter, Ericka Craven; his daughter-in-law, Joanna Martin; his brother, Kenneth Martin; his grandchildren, Faith, Jenna, and Audrey Martin; J.H. Martin; and Chris and Jacob Craven; numerous beloved extended family members; and his Christian family at Graeber Road and elsewhere. He lived a good life.

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Billy Don Martin

February 12, 1945 - April 18, 2020