Tommy Lee Martin, age 87, of Rockport, passed away Friday, February 5, 2021.
He was born November 16, 1934, in Boonville, to Hilbert and Beulah (Wilson) Martin.
After graduating from Rockport High School in 1954, Tom served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1957 during the end of the Korean War, stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College, and his Master’s in Education from Indiana University. He was employed with the South Spencer School Corporation for 34 years.
He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Rockport and American Legion Post 254. Tom was active in his retirement with the Spencer County Community Service Program, Spencer County Drug Program, and the Spencer County Sheriff Merit Board.
Tom loved life. He enjoyed each day as if it were his last. He was a patient man. Tom was a man of few words – his words had meaning and love for those he met. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up, and had a great love for all sports. His pride in life was watching his grandsons play football, basketball and baseball. He was dedicated to serving his fellow man, the children of God, in whatever way God directed him. He loved and respected every person he met in his journey of life. He is no longer struggling with heart disease. He never let his illness get the best of him. Tom was not afraid to die and he knew the angel of death was always near. He always believed his guardian angel was near to protect him.
Tom wants his friends and family to remember him through the eyes of his children and grandchildren, and his wife, Mary Lou. Their voice will be Tom’s voice as they reminisce about their life together.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Kenneth Martin.
Survivors include Tom’s wife, Mary Lou (VanWinkle) Martin, whom he married October 10, 1954; son, Timothy Lee Martin (wife Donna Rebel), and daughter, Lisa Kay Brown.
Tom had five grandchildren whom he loved very much: Tyson Martin, Trent Martin, Todd Martin, Hannah Brown, and Kisiah Brown. To them he was Pappaw and Pappy. He loved his five great-grandchildren: Teagan, Talen, Reagan, Lela and Sadie. Also surviving are two sisters, Jerry Ruth Lutz of Boonville, and Jane Hart of Fort Myers, Florida, along with several nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Tommy Lee Martin will be Tuesday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Boultinghouse Funeral Home in Rockport, with the memorial service at 2 p.m. Pastor Carl Jones is officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Rockport.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Rockport, the American Heart Association, Rockport Public Library Children’s Department, Heartford House of Western Kentucky Hospice, or the South Spencer Scholarship Foundation.
Friends may send a condolence to the family at www.BoultinghouseFuneralHome.com.
