VICTORIA — Dan C. Martin, Jr., 93, of Victoria, Texas went to his heavenly home February 9, 2025. He was born September 4, 1931, in Cuero, Texas to the late Dan C. Martin, Sr. and Roxie Alexander.
A Celebration of Dan’s life will be Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Grace Funeral Home, 2401 Houston Hwy., in Victoria, Texas.
Dan served in the US Army during the Korean War for 3 years and the Texas National guard rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He married the love of his life, Bettye in 1952.
After leaving the service he went back to college to get his degree in teaching. He graduated from Texas A&I with a bachelor’s of science degree in secondary education and went on to teach high school math for the next 13 years. While teaching, the student body voted him the most liked teacher and dedicated their annual to him. In summers, during the school break, he would run a charter boat taking people fishing in the Gulf.
During all this time he and Bettye had four sons.
In 1974 they decided to move to Victoria so he could start an insurance agency, which became Martin & Martin Insurance. In 1988 he retired from the agency so that they could do some traveling. They enjoyed serving as park hosts in Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon Territory before working their way back to Victoria.
Dan was a proficient golfer whose greatest joy was playing in a Pro-AM tournament with Lee Trevino as his partner. He loved hunting dove and mule deer in west Texas, camping and fishing with the boys in the New Mexico Mountains. He traveled across the western United States, up through Canada to Alaska in a motorhome with his wife Bettye. Dan also loved gardening, playing rummy, online poker and lively games of dominoes.
In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by his loving wife, Bettye Virginia Martin; son, Robert, great-granddaughter, Madison; and adopted granddaughter, Lori Beth.
Leaving to cherish his memory are his sons, Marion K. Martin (Valerie) of Kodak, TN, William M. Martin of Portales, NM, Scott A. Martin (Sheree) of Victoria, Texas; brother Dan Martin (Glenda) of Amarillo, adopted family – Jan (Curtis) Jenkins of Schertz, TX; 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tunnel To Towers or a charity of your choice.
Thoughts and memories may be shared online at www.gracefuneralhome.net.
Arrangements and services are under the personal care of Grace Funeral Homes and Cemeteries.