John O. Martin

He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on April 14, 1925 to Oliver and Blanche Martin.

After growing up in Kansas City and Houston, Texas, John attended the University of Texas in Austin where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in architecture.

He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest daughter, Shawn Martin.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances R. Martin of Corpus Christi, his daughters; Leonora Martin of San Antonio, Texas, Regina Smith (Kenneth) of Victoria, Texas and Cathleen Shoemaker (John) of Houston, Texas; grandchildren; Charles Smith, Sarah Smith, Isabel Shoemaker and David Shoemaker (Tiffany) and great-grandson, Michael Shoemaker.

After marriage to Frances in 1952, they moved to Corpus Christi where John went to work as a draftsman for Richard Colley and Joe Hans.

In 1967, John became a founding partner in the architectural firm of Bennett, Martin and Solka and spent the remaining years until his retirement in 2004 as an architect in this firm.

John was a member of the Institute of American Architects and Phi Beta Sigma International Fraternity. He also helped organized and was Charter President of the Corpus Christi Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute he served in various offices of the organization. He was also a member of the Southern Standard Building Code Congress and a past member of the National Fire Protection Association.

John had a lifelong interest in photography, model trains and gardening. He was a member of the Corpus Christi Gem and Minerals Society and the Corpus Christi Model Railroaders.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. that same evening.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at St. Theresa Catholic Church , 1302 Lantana Street, with interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lighthouse Hospice, 210 South Carancahua Street, Suite #301, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401.

Condolences can be made at www.memorygardensfuneralhome.com