Jack Tracy Martin

Jack Martin

Our family’s beloved American hero and proud native Texan, Bvt Brigadier General Jack Tracy Martin (USAFR Ret.), entered into Heaven on October 1, 2015 at the age of 93. He was born to Ernest William and Betty Myers Martin on August 15, 1922 in Desdemone, Texas. After graduation from High School in Burkett, Texas, he attended John Tarleton Agricultural College in Stephenville, Texas, on a basketball scholarship, participated in the ROTC program and majored in petroleum engineering.

Following graduation, our hero enlisted in the US Army Air Force on Sept. 5, 1942 and spent 16 months training as a pilot and instructor. He was commissioned on June 27, 1944 as a 2nd Lt. He served as a pilot for the 884th Bomb Squadron, 383rd Bomb Group in the United States and for the 435th Bomb Squadron, 333rd Bomb Group, 316th Bomb Wing in the Pacific Theater of Operations (Okinawa and Guam) when the bombs were dropped on Japan in August 1945. He flew B-24 and B-29 heavy bomber aircraft, had 700 flying hours and was in command of and responsible for the plane and crew while in flight. He also served as controller for the 305th Fighter Control Squadron, 301st Fighter wing, Okinawa and was responsible for fighter interception for the Air Defense Command with over 1000 flying hours of P-38 and P-47 fighter aircraft. When Japan surrendered unconditionally, ending the war in the South Pacific, large numbers of service men were left with little to do except wait for their return to the States. Martin decided to form a competition basketball team. He stated that it was great fun playing basketball and flying with those P-47 pilots even though he was called the “Throttle Jockey from Texas”! The 301st won the Championship of Okinawa Tournament and went on to win the South Pacific All-Service Championship which was in Rozalle Stadium, Manila, Capitol of the Philippine Islands on Southwest Luzon.

This publicity and experience afforded many scholarship opportunities after the war; and, fortunately, Jack chose Hardin-Simmons Baptist University in Abilene, Texas, where he met a beautiful freshman cheerleader, Shirley Stephens, and she became the LOVE of his life for 68 years! They married June 27, 1947. Fortunately, also, immediately upon graduation, the University hired him to be the head basketball coach; so his coaching career was begun at age 26. After coaching three years at HSU and obtaining a Master of Science Degree; he, Shirley and their two year old daughter, Sharon, moved to Beaumont, Texas, where he completed 25 years as the Head Basketball Coach and Professor at Lamar University (then, Lamar Tech). Jack then became the Director of Placement at Lamar U., an administrative post he held 13 years until retirement in 1990 to the Air Force Village ll Senior Living Community in San Antonio, Texas.

When he retired in 1976, Jack Martin had been the DEAN of Texas Collegiate (senior) basketball coaches for eight years. He had a total of 28 years, with a record of 375-318, coaching a total of 693 games. His three years at Hardin-Simmons University and 25 years at Lamar University covered a span longer than any other active mentor in the state at that time. At the time of his retirement, he was the dean and winningest active basketball coach in Texas. In Elmore Hudgins’ “Top Twenty Basketball Coaches”, through 1972-73, Martin was first in Texas and sixth in the nation in total victories of 350, and ranked 17th in the nation in percentage. This study involved 216 major universities. He won conference championships 5 seasons and finished runner-up on five occasions. He took his teams to six NCAA
Division 1 Championships post season playoffs. His success has been featured in many publications, including Sports Illustrated, Basketball News and Texas Star Magazine. Trademarks of his teams were high scoring averages, fast-break style of play, and players completing graduation.

Martin served on the prestigious NCAA Rules’ Committee six years and was treasurer for two years. He received numerous honors for basketball achievement; the most prestigious being named to the Hardin-Simmons University Athletics Hall of Fame and the Lamar University Sports Hall of Honor. He was also named to the All Border Conference Team as an Outstanding Point Guard in 1946-47 and 1947-48. Some additional recognitions include Distinguished Alumni at HSU in 1982; Induction into the Hall of Leaders at HSU in 2008, the Builders’ Association of Sabine Area Distinguished Citizen Award; Beaumont YMCA Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Community, Life Membership Award in the Southwest Placement Association; Honorary Member – Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity; and Sons of the Republic of Texas; and Order of Daedalians, Fraternity of Military Pilots. He is listed on the Tarleton State College Wall of Honor Memorial Monument as a General Officer who served with extraordinary distinction in positions of great responsibility and as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal. Among other medals he received were the Legion of Merit Medal, Air Medal, and WWll Heavy Bomber Pilot Medal. He was also a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Beaumont and helped establish the Recreation and Family Life Center at the church; and a member of the South Beaumont Lions Club.

After WWll, our hero continued serving his country by immediately enlisting in the US Army National Guard in Abilene, Texas. He served with distinction as the Commander of a Field Artillery Battery. In June, 1956, at the request of the Texas Governor, Martin and 20 guardsmen started the 273rd GEEIA (Ground Electronics Engineering Installation Agency) Communications Texas Air National Guard Squadron where he served as Commander and in 1957 he obtained his BI/Top Secret Security Clearance designation and in 1969 he attended the National War College Defense Strategy Seminar and later the Command and General Staff School in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Under his leadership, the squadron was known world-wide for the capabilities, initiative and professionalism in performance of both its state and federal missions including NATO Communications installations in Europe. In 1974, Martin completed the National Security Management Course from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. After retiring from Commander of the 273rd Squadron in 1975, Col. Martin was promoted by the Governor of Texas to Brevet Brigadier General to serve in various assignments including representing the US Dept. of Defense in numerous foreign countries, Liaison for the Air Force Academy, and Civil Service Disaster Relief Operations Coordinator in Southeast Texas.

His hobbies included playing golf, poker and pursuing family genealogy with Shirley across the South and in Texas. They received the South Carolina Genealogical Society’s Best South Carolina Family History Award for the publication, “A Comprehensive Summary of Genealogical Research of Descendants of John Stephens, Sr. and Sarah Rodgers”.

Martin is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Betty Martin, his sister, Lois Strickland, and his son-in-law, Dr. Charles O. Price. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; one daughter, Sharon (Sheri) Lee Price of Amarillo, Texas; grandson, Martin Lee Price and wife, Jana Terry of New Castle, Colorado; grandson, Judson Charles Price, and wife, Lynde Cox of Fritch, Texas; and 5 great-grandchildren: Jaelyn Joy, Jack Martin, Bella Grace, Danner Scout and Creed Cooper Price. Additionally, he is survived by brothers-in-law Major General Elmer Lewis Stephens, and wife, Barbara of Dallas and Gerald R. James, Sr. of Dallas.

Jack was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who spent his life in the service of his country, in support of Higher Education and by demonstrating his Christian faith. He was a gentleman, patriot, fierce and tough competitor with a sense of humor. He was a strong man, both physically and mentally, with utmost integrity and accomplishment in life. He was the consummate leader who inspired others to be successful and will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he touched. The family wishes to express our appreciation to the Blue Skies of Texas West community and staff; and, especially the staff of the Vista Health Care Facility at Air Force Village ll. Memorial donations can be made to the Vista, Blue Skies West, 5100 John D. Ryan Blvd. San Antonio, Texas, 78245 or River Churches, P.O. Box 254, New Castle, Colorado, 81647.

Graveside service with military honor guard is 2 p.m. Saturday, October 10, 2015 in Stephens' Family Plot in Eden Cemetery. Officiating is Rev. Marin Lee Price. Refreshments will be served at the First Baptist Church in Eden following the service.