Final Salute

Mission – Scott Martin, Jr. was born on March 27, 1923, in McKinney, Texas, to Scott and Vivian Finley Martin. He grew up on the family farm in nearby Celina. He passed away on February 4, 2023.

Scott attended elementary and high school in the Celina area. He received his associate degree from Edinburg Junior College (now UTRGV) in 1942. Scott enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and proudly served with the 123rd Construction Battalion (Seabees) and was stationed in the Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Chief Yeoman. He attended mortuary and funeral director school in Houston, Texas, and remained a licensed funeral director for the rest of his life.

In 1947, Scott married Mary Alice Conway to whom he was married for 69 years. They made their home in Mission. His career as an insurance agent at Conway, Dooley & Martin Agency lasted many years until his retirement in 1991.

Scott was a long time member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Mission Rotary Club, Mission Chamber of Commerce, and volunteered with the Texas Citrus Fiesta. He also served as a director of First State Bank & Trust Co. of Mission for more than 30 years, volunteered with the Mission Little League Association, served on the board of the Vannie E. Cook Cancer Center, and was a lifetime member of the Mission Historical Museum. He was a proud member of The American Legion Post 93 for more than 70 years. He was an avid “weekend farmer” and raised cattle on his land west of Mission. Scott enjoyed crossbreeding cattle and helped create the Greyman breed by crossing Murray Grey and Brahman cattle. Later, he also raised Boer goats. Scott was an active supporter of the Future Farmers of America and the Mercedes Livestock Show. He was known for his interest and skills as an amateur photographer and for his “green thumb”. The Martin home was a showcase of colorful flowers and native plants.

Scott was a great storyteller, telling true stories in an engaging way with jokes and funny anecdotes. He was a man of deep Christian faith, strong friendships, and great generosity. He was a tower of strength, comfort, and calm when his friends and family faced the death of a loved one. Scott’s passing leaves a void in many lives.

Scott was preceded in death by his beloved wife and his two sons, Michael Conway Martin and David Scott Martin. In addition, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Betsy Johnson and Beca Stamp. Surviving him are his two daughters and sons-in-law: Rebecca and David Crook of Mission, and Mary Dale and Kenneth Newsome of Lottsburg, Virginia; his grandchildren: Laura (Jonathan) Fulbright of Gainesville, Virginia; Scott (Jessica) Dudley of Portland, Oregon; and Daniel (Joanna) Crook of Buda, Texas; one great-granddaughter, Julia Fulbright of Gainesville, Virginia; and his brother-in-law, Al Stamp, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Scott dearly loved his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews with whom he kept in contact until the end of his life.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Lakshmi Kondapavuluru, Dr. K.V. Chowdary, Dr. Richard Newton, Waterford Gardens, Allstate Hospice and The Gardens at Brook Ridge and their staffs for their superior and kind care of Scott.

A Rosary will be held on Friday, March 17, at 7:00 p.m. at Brown Family Funeral Home, 701 E. Expressway 83 in Mission, with visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 18, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1119 N. Francisco Avenue in Mission and his burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Daniel Crook, Scott Dudley, Arnaldo Corpus, Medardo De Leon, Jr., Carlos X. Guerra, A.R. “Felo” Guerra, Felix T. “Felo” Martinez and Horacio Pena, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Jonathan Fulbright, Richard E. Dooley and Dr. K.V. Chowdary.

In lieu of flowers, Scott’s family requests that he be honored with memorials to the Victor Guerra Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Sister Guerra, P.O Box 81, Linn, TX 78563; the Felito Martinez Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Stephanie Martinez, 627 FM 2844, Santa Elena, TX 78591; Mission CISD, Memo: Jose “Joe” Correa Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1201 Bryce Drive, Mission, TX 78572 or to a charity of your choice.