Martin Lee Dear

Martin Lee Dear, 73, of Navasota Texas, died peacefully at home on Sunday, May 4th, 2025. He was born in Longview, TX, on June 5th 1951, to James and Faye Dear. Martin graduated from Westberry High School in 1969, he later graduated from North Houston Community College receiving an associate’s degree.

He enlisted in the United States Army and served two tours in Vietnam as a sergeant in the Big Red 1 Infantry Unit. Throughout his Service, he received numerous Accommodation Medals and two Purple Hearts. While in the Army, he met and married his wife of fifty-one years, Michelle Greenmun.

Following his military service, he joined the Harris County Sheriff's Department and retired after 31 years of Service. Throughout his career, He received a certificate of appreciation for outstanding service in the KISD Driver Excellence Program, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and an Honorable Mention for Exceptional Law Enforcement Service by the 100 Club. Martin also received an Accommodation of Appreciation for dedication, loyalty, and years of service for May 18, 1976 - July 31, 2006. He was also honored with declaring July 25th 2006 as Deputy Martin L Dear Day. Martin also received Harris County Sheriff Department Certificates of Merit for 5, 10, and 15 years, as well as a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education Master Peace Officer in August 1998, along with many letters for contribution of service for the National Youth Gang Centre. Martin helped to create the Harris County Gang Task Force and also served on VICE and Harris County FTO Teams. Martin Dear had a passion for helping troubled youth and invested many years into the Law Enforcement Explorer Program, which is now a nationally recognized organization.

After his retirement from the Harris County Police Department, he joined the Security Team at St. Thomas University and helped to create the St. Thomas University Police Department, in which he served as Interim Chief after being promoted to Sergeant.

Martin was active in several churches throughout his life. He was a charter member of several churches and helped to build several churches in Houston, Cypress, Tomball and Spring, especially, St. Cuthberts Episcopal, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Savior Anglican and St. Peter’s Anglican Church, of which he was a vestryman and currently serving as Junior Warden. Martin was also a member of the American Legion, McCluskey Post 640, and the Harris County Fraternal Order of Police.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Faye Mitchelltree and James Francis Dear, and two brothers, Randall Wayne Dear and James Francis Dear, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Michelle Dear; one daughter, Christine (Geoff) Horvath, of Maricopa, AZ; two sons: Shane (Kristina) Dear of Tomball, and Chad Dear of Mobile, Al. Four grandchildren: Nicholas, Natalie, Jacob (and his fiancée Kennedy), and Lauren, a sister-in-law, Patti Dear, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, May 10th, at 10:00 AM, at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, 6819 Louetta Rd. Spring, 77379, TX. Interment will be at the Houston National Cemetery, on Monday, May 12th at 12:30 PM .

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the HCSO Benevolence Association, https://www.hcsoba.com/