Clair G. Martin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Clair Gerard Martin, 54, of Austin, Texas was called back home by the Lord on January 20, 2016. Clair Martin was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 11, 1961 to parents William Dewey Martin and Thelma Duffey Martin. Clair was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who spent his whole life providing the best possible for them. He always put the needs and wants of his family before his own. He was one of the most selfless individuals that most would encounter. At the age 17, Clair enlisted in the Marine Corps, in which he rose to the rank of Sergeant Machine Gunner. He lived not only for his family, but his country as well and took great pride in his glory days. After leaving the military service he began a career in the car business to provide for his family. During this time he became a significant leader in the industry and brought on noteworthy success and growth to every organization he worked with. Clair was a leader and man of God with a huge heart. One of his biggest dreams and passions was to help troubled teens. While living in Estes Park this desire grew larger and larger as he would look for land to start up his "Dewey Center", a nonprofit organization that aimed to helped teens that were tied up in the system. He wanted to create an alternative to prison with a mission to help and educate these teens to turn their lives around and provide them with the love and encouragement that they may have never gotten through their own friends and family. Although he never got to live out this dream, he never needed a building or an organization to change the lives of others. His compassion and wise words were all anyone needed and he impacted every life that he ever crossed paths with. During his free time Clair loved to spend his days by the lake or ocean, fishing, camping,and most of all taking rides on his motorcycle through the mountains of Estes Park, Colorado or the hill country of Austin, Texas. He was such a free spirit who tried to make the most of every day spent on earth. One of his main goals in life was to ensure that all three of his kids become more successful, loving, and kind hearted than himself. He went out of his way to spread all the love that his big heart held to everyone around him. Clair was preceded in death by his father William Dewey Martin, mother Thelma Duffey Martin, mother-in-law Aurea Padua Hatlestad, and Bruce Hatlestad. Clair is survived by daughters Jessica Martin and Kristie Chong and only son Christopher Martin. He also leaves behind Elizabeth Martin, Ronald Hatlestad, daughter-in-law Charlotte Martin son-in-laws Andrew Chong and Alanmykal Jackson, as well as six grand children: Mason, Tyson, Brayden, Zane, Dekker and his only granddaughter Allie. If you wish to pay your respects, visitation will be held Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 5:30pm-8pm at 13009 Dessau Road Austin, Texas 78754.

Clair G. Martin

November 11, 1961 - January 21, 2016