Chris Martin

Chris was born on January 4, 1952, in Houston, TX to Clare J. and Paul Martin. He lived most of his life in Houston, except for time away at boarding schools in Arkansas and New Mexico.

The year he turned 40 was one the best of his life because he met his “St. Pius girl”, Carol Ann Widacki. They married on July 17, 1993, and his forever family followed.

His legacy will be carried on by his amazing sons, David (Lesia), Charlie (Jordan), Hunter (Maria), and Sean. Cherished grandchildren Penny, David, Julia, Lydia, and Baby Boy Martin due in November. And his dogs, Finley and Stella.

He was the middle of five siblings, who survive him: Philip (Joan) Martin, David Martin, Ann Martin Mirgeaux, and Lisa Martin (Mihalcik). Chris also leaves many nieces and nephews that he adored, and his mother-in-law Louise Widacki.

Getting together with the Martins was all about playing cards & games, telling stories about the past, special dinners, sports, school events, laughing, and loving each other. He liked nothing better than a weekend in Lakeway, TX or a trip to Louisville, KY to be with one of his sisters. During these times, Chris loved to share a good story, with his wonderful sense of humor.

Marrying into Carol’s family was a source of joy and a challenge. There were a lot of people to get to know, and the family gatherings were frequent. Many a ride home was about who was who, and who belonged to which uncle or aunt. He wished for one more visit with Grandma Widacki and Aunt Stella in Bremond, one more Christmas night at Uncle Willie’s, or one more football weekend in Killeen with Uncle Ralph and Aunt Karon.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Clare and Paul, Uncle Philip Jander, brother-in-law George Mihalcik, his special “Aunt” Aggie, father-in-law Charlie Widacki, and many beloved dogs.

Hunting and fishing were passions that developed from his childhood, in Palestine, TX with his granddad and siblings. He continued all through his life and shared them with his sons. His next hunting trip was planned for the Fall.

Chris was a natural athlete, playing baseball, basketball, and tennis. Basketball was his favorite, and he played for Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State), until he injured his ankle. He begrudgingly played golf occasionally to complete a foursome with his brothers-in-law or nephews.

After his ankle injury, Chris decided to join the Navy. New Mexico Military Institute is where he attended high school and had further fueled his love of the military. He became a corpsman out of Naval Hospital Corps School, Great Lake, IL in 1973 and spent most of his service at USNW Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. His love for the military and country never faded, as his sons can tell you, two following in his footsteps.

Life took a lot of twists and turns, including graduating from the University of Houston Downtown, and along the way he was blessed with his first son, David. Through the intervention of friends, he and Carol met on a blind date in 1992, and the rest of his life is their history together. There was one caveat to seal the union, he was a package deal, as he came with dogs.

Following their marriage, they built their home in 1994, and he lived there until the day of his passing. Chris told Carol she better like it, because they were never moving. Apparently, he meant it.

Chris was a great dad and kept things under control during his sons’ school years, which is when his love for baking kicked in. Many a teacher, friend, doctor, veterinarian, principal, neighbor was on the receiving end of one of his signature cakes. He loved to “thank” or surprise someone by making them a cake. He baked his last one on 9/10/2025.

His way of giving back, he baked multiple cakes each year for the St. Max Fall Festival and usually showed up at the end to help clean up and tear down. Chris started each Christmas morning up at St. Max, taking his boys and several of their friends to one of the shelters to help feed those less fortunate. And he brought a couple of cakes.

The Martin family invites friends and loved ones to celebrate Chris’s life on Friday, September 19, 2025, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 10135 West Road, Houston, TX.

Viewing 9:45 a.m. Rosary will be said at 10:10 a.m. Military Honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Feel free to come for any or all the services. A reception will follow in the education building next to the church; the family hopes you will join us for a meal and to hear his sons eulogize their dad. If it so moves you, please wear red, white, and blue in his memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Houston SPCA or a local animal shelter, or to the St. Maximilian Kolbe Church maintenance fund.

We sure are going to miss him.

A funeral service will be held at St Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, located at 10135 West Rd, Houston, TX 77064, United States. The service is scheduled for September 19, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.