Bobbie Joe Martin

Bobbie was born on June 6, 1934 to W.B. Martin and Mary Mason in Abilene, Texas.

Bobbie graduated from Abilene High School in 1953. Throughout his junior high and high school years, he played football. He played the position as Guard while playing with the Abilene Eagles in high school. He received a scholarship in football. His coach, Gordon Woods, had accepted a position and was transferring to a college in Victoria, Texas so Bobbie decided to go. After college, he joined the Coast Guard and spent his time in Norfolk, Virginia.

He returned to West Texas and went to work for Ken Richards of Ken’s Rental Center and worked there for 46 years. At the time of his retirement in 2008, he held the position as Office Manager. Bobbie loved people and cared for all employees he worked with.

Some of the joys in his life was being a member of the Westside Optimist Club for 25 years and being president for a portion of that time. It was a great honor for him. He was in a bowling league that won first place several times.

Bobbie loved football, bowling, Westside Optimist Club and fishing with family in South Texas. He was especially proud of his two sons and watching them grow up- be it with Michael’s baseball days, playing his trombone in the Lee High School Band or with Greg and his choir projects, especially TMEA and at competition time, and playing basketball with his friends.

He survived by his wife of 61 years, Jo Ann McKey of Victoria, Texas; son, Gregory W. Martin and his wife, Shawn, and their daughter, Amber, of Carrollton, Texas brother, Ronnie Mills and his wife, Connie, and their daughter, Taylor, of Ft. Worth, Texas; son, Nevada Mills and his wife Jewelie and their daughter, of Arkansas.

Bobbie was preceded in death by his son, Michael Martin; his parents and two brothers Travis Gerald and Chester Lee.

Everyone misses you. God Bless.

We appreciate all the medical help and support from Hospice of Midland, Nurses Unlimited, and the Veteran’s Administration during Bob’s long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones for a public Visitation at Ellis Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We will be celebrating his life.

A private Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at a later date.