The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Clarence Lewis Martin, 93, passed away Sunday, March 25, at his home in Bridge City.

He was also called Frenchie, Chubby, Candyman and PaPa. He was born in Breaux Bridge, LA., on March 16, 1919, to Francis Key Martin, Sr. and Lavinia Pellerin Martin.

He moved to Port Arthur, as a young boy. Lewis graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, January class of 1940. Lewis was a Merchant Marine for eight years during the 1940’s. He worked for Sabine Towing and Lykes Shipping Company on freighters and tankers. He achieved the rank of Second Mate. In 1949, he stopped going to sea to take care of his ill mother until her death.

Lewis went to work at Texaco Island Barrel House in 1950. He retired in 1981 as a checker after 31 years of service. Lewis married Wilda Rau from Port Arthur, on Feb. 24, 1951. They recently celebrated their 61st anniversary. Lewis and Wilda built their home in 1953 in Bridge City. He was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church. They were most proud of volunteering for the 1983 church remodeling. Lewis enjoyed rowing since he was a young boy.

He collected antiques, guns, and stamps. He kept everything in his shed or “shack”. He made hundreds of scrapbooks since he was a boy. He donated 250 scrapbooks about WWII and Port Arthur Soldiers and shipping to the Port Arthur Library who sent them to the archives in Austin to be preserved.

Lewis and Wilda took many train trips after retirement. Lewis was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Francis Key Martin, Jr.; son, Francis Edward Martin; and daughter-in-law, LuAnne Martin.

Survivors include his wife, Wilda Martin; daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Conrad Graffagnino of Port Neches; son, Willie Ray Martin of Streator, Illinois; grandchildren, Rachel Bowden, Michael Graffagnino, Grace and Marguerite Martin; great-grandchildren, Aireana and Destiny; two sisters, Lucille Dionne of Port Arthur and Claire Daigle of Groves; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. A Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 29, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City with father Steve Leger officiating. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Mike Guidroz, Conrad Graffagnino, Michael Graffagnino, Conroy Graffagnino, Carl Harbert and Scott Rollins. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jimmy Polite, Margie Cook and Lewis Guidry.