Kenneth Martindale, 82, of Shamrock, Texas, passed away on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Amarillo,Texas.
Funeral services are scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at the Shamrock High School Auditorium. Burial will follow in Shamrock Cemetery.Viewing took place from 1-6 p.m.Thursday, Aug. 8 at the funeral home in Shamrock.
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 (West Texas A&M University), where he pursued a degree in teaching. He obtained his bachelor’s degree and came home to Samnorwood to coach and teach.
He married Sandra Kay Purkey on Oct. 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 master’s and administrative degrees from West Texas State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Okla. Kenneth served as a coach, teacher, principal and superintendent in Samnorwood for a total of 28 years. During this time, he also worked for the Collingsworth County Sheriff’s 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, 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 fundraisers. 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, N.M.
Kenneth served on several boards, committees and fundraisers 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 continued 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; as well as numerous nephews, nieces and great-nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bart and Lillie Martindale, and a brother, James Martindale.
The family suggest memorials to the Kenneth Martindale High School Graduate Scholarship Fund at Happy State Bank, 711 N. Main St., Shamrock,TX 79079.
Sign the online guest book at robertsonfuneral.com.
