H.R. No. 159
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Laredo lost an esteemed civic leader
with the passing of Joseph Claude Martin III on October 29, 2023, at
the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Born in Laredo on May 3, 1941, Joseph Martin was the
son of Joseph Claude Martin Jr. and Anita Ligarde Martin, and the
descendant of several of the oldest South Texas families; he grew up
with three sisters, Patsy, Josephine, and Minnie; after completing
his education, he returned to his hometown and embarked on a
multi-faceted career in the insurance business, real estate
development, construction, ranching, and oil and gas exploration;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martin gave generously of his time and expertise
to almost every civic organization in Laredo and chaired numerous
boards; for many years, he was a trustee of the Bruni Mineral Trust,
and in 1997, he succeeded his father as a co-trustee of the Lamar
Bruni Vergara Trust, benefiting countless individuals in his
beloved city; he proudly followed in the footsteps of both his
father and his grandfather by serving on the board of the Laredo
National Bank; and
WHEREAS, An avid traveler, Mr. Martin also loved wing
shooting, and he combined his two passions whenever possible, and
he made friends in the shooting world from South American bird boys
to Italian gunmakers; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Martin set an inspiring example through his
steadfast commitment to his community, and he earned the lasting
respect and admiration of all who were privileged to know him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Joseph Claude Martin III and extend sincere sympathy to the members
of his family: to his partner, Rita K. Peters; to his children,
Michelle Martin Elliott and her husband, William, Melissa Martin
Baldwin and her husband, Kenny, Joseph Claude Martin IV, and Albert
Martin II; to his grandchildren, Andy Shults and his wife, Celeste,
Charles D. Maynard III, Melissa E. Maynard, Chantal Martin, Hunter
J. Baldwin, and Tyler J. Baldwin; to his great-grandchildren,
Beckem D. Edwards and Presley Lennon W. Shults; to his siblings,
Patsy Galo and her husband, Mickey, Josephine Cohen and her
husband, Richard, and Minnie Baird and her husband, Will; and to his
many other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joseph
Claude Martin III.
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 159 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on November 7, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House