OBITUARY: KENNETH MARTINDALE
OBITUARY: KENNETH MARTINDALE News Staff Wed, 08/14/2024 - 12:14 Subheader body AUGUST 5, 2024 In-page image(s) X Small Image Body Kenneth Martindale, 82, of Shamrock, TX passed away on Monday, August 5, 2024 in Amarillo.Funeral services were held on Friday, August 9, at the Shamrock High School Auditorium. Burial followed in Shamrock Cemetery.Kenneth Martindale was a native of the Dozier/Samnorwood area, but he was eventually transformed into a true Shamrock Irishman. He graduated from Samnorwood High School in 1960 and went on to Clarendon Jr. College where he played basketball and was chosen to play on the Jr. College All Regional team in 1962. He then went on to West Texas State University (WT A&M) where he pursued a degree in teaching. He obtained his Bachelors degree and came home to Samnorwood to coach and teach. He married Sandra Kay Purkey on October 13, 1972. His daughter, Kimberly, says little did she know, but that would be one of the best days of her life. He continued his education and received his masters and administrative degrees from West Texas State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. Kenneth was a coach, teacher, principal, and superintendent in Samnorwood for a total of twenty-eight years. During this time, he also worked for the Collingsworth County Sheriff Department as a deputy and served in the Texas National Guard for seven years.Kenneth and his family moved to Shamrock in 1992, and he tried retirement for a while. However, that was not to be. He missed the people and especially the young people. He always said that you could always find one good thing in everyone, especially troubled youth. He continued to work in Shamrock with the police department, and in December 1994, he became Chief Juvenile Officer for the 31st Judicial District. This included Hemphill, Wheeler, Roberts, and Lipscomb counties. He was awarded the Amador R. Rodriguez Lifetime Achievement Award for the work he did in this capacity. In receiving this award, it was stated that he had a genuine love for the work he did with kids and was always looking out for the best interest of the kids. He was elected chairman of the State Advisory Juvenile Board and served for four years and served two years as Vice President of JJAT (Juvenile Justice Association of Texas.) Kenneth retired from Juvenile Probation in 2011.He continued working with the Shamrock Police Department and was elected Wheeler County Constable Precinct 2 in 2012 where he still held that position. Dependable and generous were two of his best characteristics. He very rarely said no, and if he couldn’t help you, he would find someone who could. All of his grandchildren truly believe that he knew everyone in the country. No matter where he went, there was always someone he knew and would strike up a conversation with anyone.Knowing Kenneth “back in the day” you would never have believed that he could or would become an Irish fan, but he was definitely one of their biggest supporters. He loved working with the people of Shamrock and supporting the town, the citizens, and especially the young people! He recently told his family and friends that he had to get out of that hospital because school was starting soon and he had to take care of the traffic trying to go around the buses. One of his favorite things to do was auctioneer for fund raisers. He could make that money! His greatest love though was with spending time with family. He loved family reunions and fishing and four-wheeling with the grandkids up in Eagle Nest, New Mexico.Kenneth served on several boards, committees, and fund raisers in Shamrock, but he was most honored when he was chosen as Man of the Year in 2015! He enjoyed helping with the Wheeler County 4-H Shooting Sports and any other project what would promote youth. His first priority was always what was best for the child. Kenneth served as Chairman of the St. Patrick’s Association in 2009 and was continuing to serve that association. He was a member of the Shamrock First Baptist Church.Kenneth is survived by his wife, Kay, three children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandson: Mike and Kassie Macina, Kit, Kylie, and Colt; Ret. Col. Ty and Kimberly Bonner, Tristan and Lexi Bonner and Theo, and Alex; Melanie Dedek and Chad Lanier, Jackson, and Jeremy. Two sisters: Joy and D’Ray Uselton of Amarillo and Judy and Kenneth Abernethy of Kelton, and numerous nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, Bart and Lillie Martindale, and a brother, James Martindale.Memorials may be made to the Kenneth Martindale
MC Caliman
AUGUST 5, 2024
Kenneth Martindale, 82, of Shamrock, TX passed away on Monday, August 5, 2024 in Amarillo.
Funeral services were held on Friday, August 9, at the Shamrock High School Auditorium. Burial followed in Shamrock Cemetery.
Kenneth Martindale was a native of the Dozier/Samnorwood area, but he was eventually transformed into a true Shamrock Irishman. He graduated from Samnorwood High School in 1960 and went on to Clarendon Jr. College where he played basketball and was chosen to play on the Jr. College All Regional team in 1962. He then went on to West Texas State University (WT A&M) where he pursued a degree in teaching. He obtained his Bachelors degree and came home to Samnorwood to coach and teach. He married Sandra Kay Purkey on October 13, 1972. His daughter, Kimberly, says little did she know, but that would be one of the best days of her life. He continued his education and received his masters and administrative degrees from West Texas State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. Kenneth was a coach, teacher, principal, and superintendent in Samnorwood for a total of twenty-eight years. During this time, he also worked for the Collingsworth County Sheriff Department as a deputy and served in the Texas National Guard for seven years.
Kenneth and his family moved to Shamrock in 1992, and he tried retirement for a while. However, that was not to be. He missed the people and especially the young people. He always said that you could always find one good thing in everyone, especially troubled youth. He continued to work in Shamrock with the police department, and in December 1994, he became Chief Juvenile Officer for the 31st Judicial District. This included Hemphill, Wheeler, Roberts, and Lipscomb counties. He was awarded the Amador R. Rodriguez Lifetime Achievement Award for the work he did in this capacity. In receiving this award, it was stated that he had a genuine love for the work he did with kids and was always looking out for the best interest of the kids. He was elected chairman of the State Advisory Juvenile Board and served for four years and served two years as Vice President of JJAT (Juvenile Justice Association of Texas.) Kenneth retired from Juvenile Probation in 2011.
He continued working with the Shamrock Police Department and was elected Wheeler County Constable Precinct 2 in 2012 where he still held that position. Dependable and generous were two of his best characteristics. He very rarely said no, and if he couldn’t help you, he would find someone who could. All of his grandchildren truly believe that he knew everyone in the country. No matter where he went, there was always someone he knew and would strike up a conversation with anyone.
Knowing Kenneth “back in the day” you would never have believed that he could or would become an Irish fan, but he was definitely one of their biggest supporters. He loved working with the people of Shamrock and supporting the town, the citizens, and especially the young people! He recently told his family and friends that he had to get out of that hospital because school was starting soon and he had to take care of the traffic trying to go around the buses. One of his favorite things to do was auctioneer for fund raisers. He could make that money! His greatest love though was with spending time with family. He loved family reunions and fishing and four-wheeling with the grandkids up in Eagle Nest, New Mexico.
Kenneth served on several boards, committees, and fund raisers in Shamrock, but he was most honored when he was chosen as Man of the Year in 2015! He enjoyed helping with the Wheeler County 4-H Shooting Sports and any other project what would promote youth. His first priority was always what was best for the child. Kenneth served as Chairman of the St. Patrick’s Association in 2009 and was continuing to serve that association. He was a member of the Shamrock First Baptist Church.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Kay, three children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandson: Mike and Kassie Macina, Kit, Kylie, and Colt; Ret. Col. Ty and Kimberly Bonner, Tristan and Lexi Bonner and Theo, and Alex; Melanie Dedek and Chad Lanier, Jackson, and Jeremy. Two sisters: Joy and D’Ray Uselton of Amarillo and Judy and Kenneth Abernethy of Kelton, and numerous nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bart and Lillie Martindale, and a brother, James Martindale.
Memorials may be made to the Kenneth Martindale High School Graduate Scholarship Fund set up @ Happy State Bank; 711 N. Main St. Shamrock, TX 79079, or to the Samnorwood Ex-Students Association in care of Connie Stages at Shamrock Junior High at 100 S. Illinois, Shamrock, TX 79079.
