Bert Eugene Martin

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Bert Martin of Waxahachie, Texas, on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the age of 81.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Cora Lynn Wood; children: Bambi Bratton and husband David, Jill Tew and husband Monty, Jerad, and Michelle Goettle and husband Brian; grandchildren: Tyler, Garrett and Rhiannon, Cooper, Chase and Rylee, Ford, Kinsley, Gabe, Walker, Lily, and Logan; brother-in-law, J.W. Wood and wife Anna Maria; and lifelong friends, Claudia Morris and Phyllis McIlroy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Bert was born on July 13, 1944, to Maida and Maurice Martin in Houston, Texas. He grew up in Galena Park, Texas, and attended Galena Park schools and was the editor of the high school newspaper. He went on to receive an associate’s degree and served nine years in the United States Army. Tours of duty included Vicenza, Italy; Sinop, Turkey; Hakata, Japan; and Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He met Cora while cruising through downtown Pasadena, Texas, and they were married three years later on July 15, 1966.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the army, Bert started his career in the auto industry in Houston and then Terrell. In 1976, Bert joined Willis Oldsmobile and moved his family to Waxahachie, Texas. He worked at Willis for 13 years as their CFO. During this time Bert also served as a technical advisor for various committees associated with Duncanville High School and on the City of Waxahachie’s Planning and Zoning committee. His favorite hobbies revolved around sports. His favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Rangers. He loved playing golf and teaching Jerad to love the game too. He also served as a referee for high school football and basketball and helped coach during high school summer basketball camps. Bert was a member of First Baptist Church, along with his family, for 36 years.

Bert was proud of and found joy in his children and grandchildren. As a father he could be found walking the golf course for his son’s golf tournaments, attending Friday night football games where his daughters cheered, losing patience teaching them all how to drive, and helping them with math schoolwork and problem solving in general. Bert loved to navigate and plan family trips (never bothering with hotel reservations) which included skiing in Red River, soaking in the sun on Maui, flying kites on Texas’ gulf shore, visiting covered bridges in New Hampshire and Vermont, sightseeing in Boston, and shopping in New York City. His love for adventure, fear of heights, and constant sense of humor filled the trips with laughter, wonderful memories, and hilarious stories.

Cora’s family became his own, and he enjoyed nothing more than being in the center of their gatherings. He was the auctioneer at the Hibbitt family auction, the master of ceremonies at every holiday gathering and family reunion, chief agitator with all the young ones who would be laughing hysterically one moment and then running to their moms’ arms the next, and ever ready to organize an impromptu game of cards or dominoes that would be filled with his quips and laughter. He was patriotic to the core and all the

grandkids recall him cheering on the annual Waxahachie Fourth of July Parade. He also found endless joy practicing his Italian with his sister-in-law, Anna Maria, and singing out of key with his other sister-in-law, Toby. Bert and Cora shared a love for their historic home and beautiful yard and could often be found working alongside each other planning the next house project or weeding and planting bulbs in the yard.

When the grandkids came along, he became their favorite playmate and spent endless hours swinging them on the tire swing; watching the trains pass behind the house; attending tea parties in the playhouse; carving pumpkins; raking up huge leaf piles for them to jump into; and greeting them first thing in the morning with steaming plates of eggs, bacon, and biscuits. He organized countless outings for them which included train rides, rodeos, beach trips, putt putt golf, musicals, hitting golf balls at the driving range, and bowling at the local bowling alley.

On December 6, 2012, Bert suffered a massive stroke that left him unable to walk or speak. But his determination and courage shone through as he lived these years to their fullest, exhibiting the same positivity and enthusiasm for life that he had before the stroke. During this time, he attended grandchildren’s soccer games, cross country meets, birthday parties, and graduations as well as numerous family Thanksgiving celebrations and Christmas, Easter, and Father’s Day events. He left an indelible mark on the therapists and nurses who cared for him during these years as well as Pastor Donnie Smith at The Fellowship in Round Rock, Texas, which he attended during the years he resided there.

We know he’s now roaming the greens up in Heaven, singing Gaither tunes to God, while planning the next rollicking adventure as he waits for his loved ones to join him.

A private graveside service will be held at Caddo Cemetery where he will be buried near his beloved mother-in-law and father-in-law who were like parents to him.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at San Gabriel in Round Rock, Texas as well as the staff at Legend Oaks in Waxahachie, Texas, and Bristol Hospice for their care and compassion. And a special thank you to the nurses and therapists who served him so well--Sina, Rhonda, Lawrence, Lolita, Bethany, Amy, and Jessica. Also, immense gratitude to Austin Speech Labs and Shelley Adair who loved him and kept him laughing during the six years he attended speech therapy, one of the highlights of his week, especially when he had the opportunity to sing.

Donations honoring Bert may be made to Austin Speech Labs, 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd, Suite 136-S, Austin, Texas, 78757.

I’ll meet you in the morning with a “How do you do?”
You’ll know me by the smile that I wear
When I meet you in the city that is built four square.