Obituary of Louis Edward Martin II

Louis Edward Martin II, a longtime Fort Worth businessman, philanthropist in the areas of arts and education, and beloved husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully at home Monday, February 12 of complications related to an 18-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.Born in 1944 in Lubbock to Reatha R. and Ruth Koch Martin, Edward married the former Sharon Allison in 1965, and they had two sons, Louis Edward Martin III and John Russell Martin. The family moved to Fort Worth in 1977 with the relocation of the corporate offices of the family business, The Dunlap Company, which was founded in 1890 in Wagoner, Indian Territory, now eastern Oklahoma. Edward’s father began working for the company in 1914, purchased a partial interest in 1922, and eventually obtained full ownership of the chain, which encompassed 84 retail stores spread throughout 19 states with 1,100 employees. Edward and his brother later took ownership and operated the company out of Fort Worth for 30 years, with Edward serving as president and chief executive officer.Edward was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Fort Worth Breakfast Club, the Exchange Club of Fort Worth, The Steeplechase Club, La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He also was an avid and knowledgeable wine collector and a proud alumnus of Texas Tech University, and served as president of the West Texas chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), as chairman of the board of Trinity Valley School, and on the boards of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Further, he was an original organizer and member of the board of directors of Ridglea National Bank, and a board member of Overton Bankshares Inc.An avid sportsman, Edward cherished his family and lived life to the fullest, passing on his lifelong love of the outdoors, golf, hunting and fishing to his sons. He was a regular fixture on the grounds of Shady Oaks Country Club with his dogs and his golf cart, and his idea of a perfect day was one spent on the course, ending with dinner and a great bottle of wine shared between friends.He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Callie Martin Chalk, and is survived by his wife, sons, and daughter-in-law, Carter Johnson Martin, by Laura Kelly, and by two beloved grandchildren, Carter Josephine Martin and Louis Edward Martin IV, his brother, Reatha Reginald Martin II and wife, Pat, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the care and support provided by the staff of Compassus, and to Edward’s caregivers, Janetta Primus and Farrin Sims for their kind, loving, attention to Edward’s needs over the past months.