Lucius Lamar Martin

Lucius Lamar Martin passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at his home in Pasadena, Texas. He was 92 years old. He was born in Houston, Texas on March 24, 1931 to James Meathe Martin, Sr. and Annie Ray Armstrong. The youngest of four brothers, Lamar weathered all of the good natured rivalry and taunting of his brothers and reached adulthood with the seasoned ability to jest or rejoin with glee, a twink in his eye and a sparkling smile.

Early childhood years were spent in the neighborhoods of Park Place and Easthaven on the south side of Houston where the family were members of Magnolia Christian Church. In 1942, due to his mother’s ill health and the brothers “off to war,” Lamar and his parents moved to Abilene, Texas. There, he joined the Abilene Junior High School Marching Band learning to play percussion with a passion that began a lifelong love of music.

After his mother’s passing, James, Sr. and Lamar returned to Houston where James opened a printing and ruling business. Lamar continued his primary schooling but also learned the ruling trade working with his father and later his step-mother Ora Mae. He continued his love of music throughout high school and into adulthood. He was a member of the Milby High School Band until graduating in 1948.

In March 1949 he entered the Army Air Corp with a written commitment to be assigned to the Military Corp Band. With the build up to the Korean conflict and restructuring of the Army Air Corp, the Military Band units were ordered to make cuts to the ranks. After formation of the U.S. Air Force he received a discharge from the U. S. Army and was immediately enlisted into the new branch of service. Though not remaining part of a military band unit, he served with pride and enjoyed his experience in service to his country. He was honorably discharged in October, 1952.

In May, 1955, Lamar married Dorothy Mae Trojanowski. “Doris” and Lamar were married 53 years, ending in her passing in 2008. For most of their married life, they resided in South Houston, Texas. They were blessed with one daughter, Kelly Ann Marr of Baytown, Texas.

Early in their marriage, Lamar organized a band ensemble that played many venues around Houston and Pasadena. His love for music rekindled with him setting at his trap set playing drums. Together, they enjoyed dancing and socializing with the local talent scene. Away from the limelight, they both loved the outdoors; gardening, fishing and hunting.

In his working life, sold hardware, managed stores, served as a reserve deputy with Harris County and ultimately became service manager for RV Supply and other service companies. In that industry, Lamar received and kept many notes, letters and commendations from customers and employers regarding his work ethic and work product. The adjectives that describe Lamar’s character are: honest, diligent, thorough, respectful, friendly, courteous, pleasant and good natured.

In retirement, Lamar faced many challenges. From 2010 onward, Lamar lived alone before entering assisted living in 2019. With eyesight diminishing and mobility declining, Lamar ordered his life in defiance of his physical limitations. His close neighbors help provide transportation when he could no longer drive. But, to stay independent, he modified a two-wheel electric scooter by adding “training wheels” with a self-fabricated cart for short errands. He also fabricated multiple implements to aid mobility or to hold lights and magnifiers to aid in reading and signing his signature. He prepared food sufficient to serve multiple meals by freezing single proportion containers. He would cook meats, vegetables, soups, stews & gumbos to provide three to five individual servings. All with a determined mindset, “I do the best I can.”

He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Doris, his parents James and Annie Ray Martin, his step-mother Ora Mae (Rogers) Martin, and his brothers “Jimmy”, “Pete” and “Charley Ray.”

He is survived by his daughter Kelley Ann (Martin) Marr, his grandson, Justin Meathe Marr and wife Marisa; his granddaughter Kelsey Desire Marr, and his great-granddaughters Ellena Michelle Marr and Abigail Jane Marr, plus numerous nephews, nieces and their extended families.

The family also wishes to express their gratitude to Erlinda Crawford and Rosannah Robinson for the love, aid and care benevolently given to Lamar during the latter years of his life. To the management, staff and residents of The Reserve at Pasadena, thank you for being “his family” since 2019, and to Traditions Hospice, thank you for the great comfort of your mercy and grace.

A committal service with honors is scheduled on September 28, 2023 at 10:15am at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.