Memorial Service Held for Former Lubbock Mayor Tom Martin

Family, friends, and politicians attended the funeral of former Lubbock Mayor Tom Martin on Monday. The 69 year-old Martin passed away on March 27, 2018, and his life was honored during a memorial service at Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Former Lubbock City Councilman Paul R. Beane, who was one of Martin's closest friends, spoke at Monday's service. Local Masons also attended Monday's service.

After a distinguished career in law enforcement, Martin served on the Lubbock City Council from 2002-06 and was mayor from 2008-2012.

Tom Martin is survived by his wife Karen and brother and sisters. In lieu of flowers, the Martin family asks for donations to be made in honor of Tom Martin to: the Scottish Rite Learning Center, the Salvation Army, Texas Boys Ranch and the Boys and Girls Club.

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Official Obituary for Tom Martin from Legacy.com and Lake Ridge Chapel & Memorial Designers

Thomas Allen was born on December 31, 1948 to Elmer and Mary Van Valkenburg Martin in Rome, New York. On November 24, 1969, Thomas married the love of his life, Karen Leckie at First Presbyterian Church in Lubbock, Texas. Tom earned his Master of Public Administration degree at Texas Tech University in 1977. He was named an MPA Distinguished Alumnus in 2014.

Tom worked as a news reporter for KLBK-TV in 1968 until 1970, when he began his career as Public Information Officer for the City of Lubbock. He served with the Lubbock Police Department from 1974 until he was appointed Chief of Police in San Marcos in 1990. Tom then became Chief of Police in Grapevine in 1992, where he served until 1998. Following a 28-year career in law enforcement, he taught political science courses at South Plains College and criminal justice courses at Wayland Baptist University. Mr. Martin was elected to serve on the Lubbock City Council for District 5 serving four years (2002-06) with the final two years as Mayor Pro Tem. He was elected on May 10, 2008 and served as the Mayor of Lubbock for two consecutive terms. Following a ten-year career in municipal government, he began teaching government courses at Texas Tech University.

Tom was actively involved in the community volunteering and serving with numerous community organizations. He served on the boards of the Salvation Army and Scottish Rite Learning Center. Tom was a 33rd Degree Mason and a member of Lubbock Lions Club. He was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and chair of the finance committee.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Martin; brother, Patrick Martin and wife, Rene; Donna Martin; Linda Martin and husband, Gene Mileken; and Sally Johnson and husband, Rodney; and Max, his Glen of Imaal Terrier.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mary Martin.

In lieu of flowers, the Martin family suggests the following charities Tom actively supported: Scottish Rite Learning Center of West Texas, 1101 70th Street Lubbock, TX 79412;  Salvation Army, 1111 16th St, Lubbock, TX 79401, www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/; Texas Boys Ranch, www.texasboysranch.org, and the Boys and Girls Clubs, P.O. Box 94163, Lubbock, Texas 79493; www.lubbockbgc.org.