Christopher Drake Martin

Christopher Drake Martin, beloved husband, father, son, grandson, and friend, was taken unexpectedly from this world on December 26 due to cardiac complications following illness with COVID-19. He is survived by his wife, Amy Scott Martin; sons, Robert Harding Schorp Martin and Christopher “Topher” Maverick Martin; mother, Susie Schorp Martin; father and his wife, John and Jennifer Martin; grandmother, Isabel Thompson Schorp; father- and mother-in-law, Neel and Bob Scott; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Maury and Rees Oliver and Nena and Marc Thiltgen; as well as many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Harding John “Cotton” Schorp.

Chris was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a native Texan and only son of Susie and John Martin. He grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Alamo Heights high school where he was one of the top students in his class. He was a high school athlete and played varsity tennis. After high school Chris went to Trinity University where he was a recipient of the elite Murchison scholarship. Chris loved Trinity and was chosen as homecoming king by his peers. He majored in English and had a deep love for literature and writing. He was always quick to recommend a good book and was a gifted conversationalist when discussing literary themes. Chris even considered pursuing a masters and PhD in English with plans to teach or write. However, it was his fascination for Ernest Hemingway, with his tragic early demise from mental illness, that encouraged him to pursue a career in psychiatry. His article, “Ernest Hemingway: a psychological autopsy of a suicide on the life and death of Hemingway,” that was published in the journal Psychiatry in 2006, tied together his passions and is often used as a resource when understanding this great author.

After Trinity, Chris attended Baylor College of Medicine in Houston where he started a new chapter in his life. Chris loved Houston and all the people he met along the way. He was greatly influenced by several mentors in the field of psychiatry and after residency was hired to work at the Menninger clinic. However, Chris’ patriotism led him to the Houston VA hospital where he served our veterans for many years. He had a deep burden for those suffering with PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other mental conditions. One of his Houston colleagues noted that it was difficult to capture all of the contributions that Chris made to the field of psychiatry and resident education at Baylor. After moving back to San Antonio 4-years ago, Chris worked at the San Antonio VA Hospital where he received several teaching awards.

While still living in Houston, Chris reconnected with an old friend, Amy Scott, and they rekindled a romance that led to marriage less than six months later. A year after that they were blessed with their first son Robert Martin and several years later with Topher Martin. They moved to San Antonio to be close to family and friends. Chris loved his young boys and was devoted to them and Amy. He was excited to share with them his love for Texas, the outdoors, music, and literature.

His mother’s family was descended from Joseph Schorp who came from Wurtemberg, Germany to Galveston Bay in 1843 with Castro’s colonists and settled in Medina County. His father’s family, the Magruders, came to America in the 1600s. They were part of the MacGregor Clan of Scotland but changed their name to Magruder in America.

We are reminded in Proverbs 18:24 that “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Chris lived this out through his faithfulness and kindness. He will be greatly missed. An outdoor service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Monday January 11th at 1:00 PM (face masks required) with livestream option for those who cannot attend. The Reverend Patrick Gahan, and Pastor Donna Strieb, officiating. You may view the livestreaming below.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (www.givebmf.org/psychiatryeducation), where an educational award has been established in his name, or to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org).