Lee Derek Martin

Lee Derek Martin was born in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 21, 1953, to Paul and Elaine Martin. Lee grew up with his siblings Dianne, Cheryl, and John, in Germany, Virginia, and later moved to New Mexico. He graduated from Sandia High School in Albuquerque in 1971. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War; he was a supply specialist and was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1975, Lee returned to Albuquerque where he met his very best friend, the love of his life, and the woman he would spend the next 47 years loving and serving, Jana Sue Spraggins. Lee and Jana were married that year on August 22, 1975, at Hoffmantown Baptist Church in Albuquerque. Lee attended New Mexico State University and later graduated from Dallas Bible College where he studied Greek and New Testament. He was an excellent student and regularly made the dean’s list.

Lee had an incredible work ethic; he was willing to do any job to take care of his family even until the very end. Lee spent most of his career in sales and management; he worked for several years at Xerox and for 13 years at Discount Tire. For the last 15 years, he worked in the oil and gas and renewable energies industries. Through God’s favor, his hard work, and integrity, he excelled and rose quickly as a leader. He was a Professional Landman, a Project Manager, and Certified Title Abstractor. This work covered the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. While living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lee and Jana were near 2 of their 5 children, Ruth and David, and their families. For the last 3 years, Lee and Jana lived in Abilene with 3 of their 5 children Rachel, Rebekah, Daniel, and their families, and his sister Dianne.

Lee was a man after God’s own heart and was devoted to his family. He was known for his kindness, love, thoughtfulness, and integrity. He treasured time with the Lord, and he loved to read his bible and journal. He also had an incredible passion for music, especially worship music. He enjoyed playing the guitar and filling his home with the sound of worship. While living in Dallas, he worked as a night disk jockey for a Christian radio station; he had a gift for selecting truly worshipful songs. One of his dreams was to retire in New Mexico with his bride Jana and own a music studio. He enjoyed drawing and doodling, hiking, playing golf, and watching beautiful sunsets. Some of Lee’s favorite family activities included playing cards, listening to worship music, listening to classic rock, and drinking coffee. He loved being with his wife and children, being with his adult children and his grandchildren, watching his grandchildren play sports, going to sporting events with his sons, and his whole family gathering for meals and holidays. Most of all, he loved serving his bride Jana and was happiest in her presence. He loved the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all his heart.

Lee loved, cherished, and served his family, and he always went above and beyond. He was survived by his bride Jana and his five children Rachel, Rebekah, Ruth, Daniel and his wife Rebekah, David and his wife Dulce. He was known as “grandpa” to his 10 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. Rebekah’s 5 children: Eden and her daughter, Willow (Lee’s only great grand-baby) Zoe, Ana, Ezra and Noah; Ruthie’s 3 children: Mia, Maddison, and Miles; Daniel’s daughter Abigail; and David’s son Josiah. He is also survived by his sister Dianne and her sons Kenny and Keith. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Cheryl and brother John.

Lee fought Cancer fiercely and quietly for the last two years. The Lord, in his grace and mercy, took Lee home to heaven. He is loved and adored by his family and will be so dearly missed! His children hope to honor him by putting God first, loving and serving their families, mirroring his strong work ethic, and caring and delighting in their mother, his bride Jana.

A family viewing will be held at Noon on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street in Abilene.  A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at House of Our Lord Congregation, 1102 Petroleum Dr. in Abilene.  The memorial service will also be available to view online at www.hooltx.org .

He will be laid to rest in the Texas Veterans Cemetery at Abilene with military honors.