Jodie Martin

The Lord spoke softly as he opened heavens gates, “Well done my good and faithful servant, it’s time to come home.” Jodie Martin, entered eternity, having finished his work her on earth on, Sunday, October 17, 2021, with his loving wife by his side.

Jodie was born September 10, 1959, in San Angelo, Texas, to Eddie and Johnita Martin. He was their absolute pride and joy, the first of three boys. He was a healthy, strong, and a large baby, weighing in at over nine pounds. Those traits followed him his entire life. It’s been said he wasn’t allowed to play sports in the schoolyard of Irion County Elementary with kids his own age, but he was to play with the kids in grades ahead of him. Even then, he was instructed to swing a bat one handed to give everyone a fair shot. His athleticism led him to victories on the football field, basketball court and track. His most memorable Irion County football game came while playing Santa Anna. He did a flip into the end zone and came up grinning, the crowd erupted! He made that night one to remember for all present! Jodie graduated from Irion County High School in 1978.

Jodie loved three things with everything he had, our God, his family, and his country. Jodie shared his faith, and the love of the Lord, with all those he encountered. In his method and manner of explaining these beliefs, Jodie led several people to Christ throughout his life. He continually reminded his children that if you keep God at the center of your life and marriage you’ll never go wrong. He led by example his entire life. Even more so when it came to the bond, love, and commitment of a husband. From the first day he met Annette Paxton, his sweet Annie, to the moment he was embraced by Jesus; he was faithfully devoted their friendship and marriage.

He was never too busy to pull over on the side of the road and pick a bouquet of wildflowers for her or serenade her with their song “have I told you lately that I love you”.

He and Annette would have celebrated 41 years of marriage next month. They met at a BBQ on Spring Creek in the spring of 1980 while Annette was a senior in high school and Jodie a recent graduate. Jodie made sure paths continued to cross and Annette made sure to steal a glance as she drove by his house. May 26th of that year would be the night their relationship became official. After graduation, Annette and friends headed to Dance Land where she met up with Jodie. That first dance, never ended and they danced the night away. Annette went home that night and told her momma, “I’ve found the man I’m going to marry.”  They were engaged in July and married on November 8, 1980.

Jodie and Annette were blessed with two beautiful daughters in the coming years. He was an incredible father, to Sarah and Joli. He loved his girls and was a proud girl dad. He taught them many lessons from baiting a hook, to how to use power tools and build anything their heart desired. Always patient when one or both just couldn’t get it right. He instilled his love of the Lord and family in both his daughters. They take a deep sense of pride in carrying that attribute into both of their families. Jodie was finally blessed with two sons, Shaun in 2003, and Deriek in 2007 as they joined the girls as their husbands. His boys brought so much to his life, one with the love of cars and trucks and the other with his love of hunting and fishing.

A few years later he would receive the title that brought him the most joy, he became a Papa. First to Brynn, then Jace, followed by Jaxon, Harper and lastly Briar Beth. During the summer, spring break, holiday gatherings, and many other visits to Granny and Papa’s house, he could be found fixing bike flats, shooting birds, enjoying a good movie, throwing a football, getting “made up”, or even playing the occasional video game. The memories made with his grandkids will be cherished for a lifetime.

Jodie had a strong work ethic and took pride in every job he had. His first official job, at age 12, was working for Tomato Lady Turner.
During high school and thereafter, he worked on ranches with his closest friends and windmills with his daddy. He started his career in the oilfield when he went to work for CRA, in Mertzon. He continued to work as a gas plant operator moving his family from Mertzon to Sterling City and finally to Fort Stockton in 1991. From that time on he worked for multiple gas plants, the most recent being Brazos Midstream, as a maintenance technician.

While working full time he started his own remodeling company, Stockton Renew, “Repair, Remodel, Refinish and Renew” was his motto. He had a passion for refinishing antique furniture, remodeling, and renovating homes, lots of times for his daughters. Every house Jodie and Annette lived in was remodeled in some form or fashion by them both. He never received any formal training and was completely self-taught. He worked for several families in Fort Stockton and the surrounding area, his customers always became friends. His love of people, bright smile and giving spirit gained him friends near and far.

Jodie truly valued his work, but he loved camping with family more. As a young boy his parents taught him how to explore, be prepared and enjoy what mother nature offered. As a father, Jodie, showed his family the same sense of joy and excitement with each endeavor and exploration. He would study maps, contact landowners, and show up with every tool his family needed to make the absolute best memories. Many summer days were spent on the banks of rivers and creeks across Texas. Jodie’s method was simple, pick the perfect spot off the beaten path, build your own campsite and always leave it better than you found it.

In 2016, Jodie began writing. He completed one book and a began writing a second. He wrote and was recognized for many short stories in the years that followed. He was a member of Fort Stockton’s Critique Café writers’ group. Jodie was also noted to be a professional coffee drinker, he and his closest friends met every day, without fail, at 3:00 p.m. for coffee at Dairy Queen. They’d discuss everything from politics to the local happenings and have the world squared away by the time they finished.

Jodie was honored and took a great since of pride in being an American. His heart was forever grateful for the freedoms and liberties bestowed upon him by his fellow patriots. He believed America to be the greatest country in the world and prayed for this nation daily.

Jodie will be remembered and deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Welcoming him into heavens gates are his daddy, Eddie, his mama, Johnita and a grand baby that was too precious for this earth.

Left to carry on his legacy and remember him with a smile are his best friend and wife, Annette Martin, daughters, Sarah Smith (husband Shaun), Joli McDowell (husband Deriek), his grandchildren Brynn, Jace, Jaxon, Harper and Briar. He also leaves behind brothers, Scott and Clint, many nieces and nephews, countless friends, co-workers, and members of his coffee drinking crew.

Pallbearers for the Fort Stockton service will be Bill Everett, Rudy Ramos, Herman Lindley, Johnny McComb, Bill Golliher and Rex Carpenter.

Pallbearers for the graveside service in Mertzon will be Herman Lindley, Carl Dannheim, Deriek McDowell, Shaun Smith, Sebastian Valencia, Steve Smith and Rick Charlton.

Arrangements are under the care of Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Stockton, Texas. Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Fort Stockton on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 11 a.m. Graveside service will be at the Mertzon Cemetery on Saturday, October 23, at 1:00 p.m.

Memorials can be made to The Windmill Man Scholarship Fund at First National Bank Mertzon or any charitable organization of your choosing.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Young, Jane Velasquez, and the team of nurses at PCMH Hospice.