Kenneth Earl Martin

Kenneth Earl Martin

September 1, 1936 – May 10, 2024

Kenneth Earl Martin passed away suddenly on Friday, May 10, 2024, doing what he loved to do, mowing grass while riding his lawn mower.

Funeral service: 11AM, Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 at Bible Way Church 2800 Gurley Avenue in Waco. Visitation: 6-8PM, Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at the funeral home. A private family burial will take place at a later date at Gholson Cemetery in Gholson.

Kenneth was born in Whitney, Texas, where he grew up, to Walter Morris Martin and Laura Mozelle (Burgamy) Martin on September 1, 1936. He married Martha Maurine Watkins in 1960. They lived the first part of their married life in the Ft. Worth area and moved back to Waco in 1975. Together they had three children, Robin, Kevin, and Michael.

He served in the US Army in 1958 during peacetime, and was discharged early to help provide for the family. He worked at Purina Mills for several years with his father in Ft. Worth. Most of his life was spent working in road construction, running a backhoe, and excavator until the age of 84. He kept busy mowing yards on the side, especially when he had to retire (sort of) until the day he died.

Kenneth was a Police Officer for the Kennedale Police Dept. in 1974. He raced cars at the HOT speedway in Elm Mott until his car flew over the wall in Killeen and ended his racing career. He also raised and ran greyhounds for several years. In 1991, he worked as a security guard for ProTech Security. He was a pretty good pool shark in his younger years in Ft. Worth and won several tournaments around the Waco area.

He was a member of the Emergency Response Team for the Lacy Lakeview Fire Department. He was always ready to step in and help the Fire Department in any emergency, from directing traffic to handing out water to the firefighters on scene. He also loved to hand out candy at the Fire Department at Halloween and being a part of the Christmas Parade.

Kenneth loved life and made friends easily. He loved playing with his grandchildren when they were little, he often got on the floor with them, making them squeal and laugh. He liked going to their games as they grew up. His favorite things to do was winning at dominoes with family and friends, watching the Lady Bears softball team, and the Dallas Cowboys. His latest project was repairing a boat engine with his son and grandson. He was excited about taking it to the lake with the family this summer.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his wife, Martha; parents, Walter and Laura Martin; grandson, Corey Stinson; and sisters, Reda Copeland and Linda Bernethy.

He is survived by his brothers, Richard Martin and Bob Martin of Ft. Worth; children, Robin Stinson (David) of Gholson, Kevin Martin (Jeanie) of Elm Mott, Michael Martin and Courtney Burney of Elm Mott; grandchildren, David Wayne Stinson (Andrea) of Moody, Russell Stinson (Chrissy) of Gholson, Jaime Stinson of Gholson, Nicole Martin, Brandon Martin, Keith Martin, Kenneth Martin all of Elm Mott; great-grandchildren, Leea Stinson, Hayden Stinson, Caleb Stinson, Levi Stinson, Jaxon Butler, Rhyder Holder, Cody Holder, Serenity Stinson, Trevor Christian (Nichole); great-great grandchild, Wyatt Christian, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Place of Service: Bible Way Church , 2800 Gurley ; Waco, TX 76711