Martin Vick

Robert Martin Vick died at home, Saturday, January 16, 2016, just four days after his beloved wife, Mary Margaret. A descendent of Texas Declaration of Independence signer Martin Parmer, he was born April 12, 1927, to William Arthur Vick and Laura Palmer Vick in Grangerland, Texas.

Martin graduated from Conroe High School and entered Texas A&M University at the age of 16 in 1943. Ever the hard worker and entrepreneur, Martin financed his own education and graduated from A&M in 1946 (class of '47). Martin proudly served as Texas A&M's head yell leader in 1946 and was elected King Cotton. He loved his time there and was a lifelong fan of the fighting Texas Aggies.

Martin and Mary Margaret Vick were married at the First United Methodist Church in Conroe in 1948. Martin considered their marriage a turning point in his life and set an example of a loving husband for an inspirational sixtyseven years.

While his career in the agricultural industry dictated moves to Houston, New Iberia, LA, and Yazoo City, MS, Martin and Mary Margaret always considered Conroe home, and they returned here in 1984. He enjoyed a distinguished career in the fertilizer industry, advancing from sales executive with Mississippi Chemical Corp. to President of Texas Liquid Fertilizer and serving as President and Director of the Southwestern Fertilizer Association. In his retirement years, Martin founded his own company, Capitol Fertilizer, and continued brokering sales deals into his late 80s. Always an optimist, he could be counted on for kind words, sage advice, and good jokes, fair weather or foul.

Martin was predeceased by his wife, Mary Margaret Coleman Vick and their infant son, parents William Arthur and Laura Vick, brothers Palmer Vick and Bennie Vick, and sister Blonnie Prestridge. Martin is survived by his two daughters and their husbands, Marti and William Riggall and Lucy and Kevin Kneisley. He was a beloved "Pap" to his grandchildren: Todd and wife Stephanie Long, Ellicott City, MDÍ3/4 Shaina Riggall Starcher and her husband Clifford, Charleston, WVÍ3/4 Korin Riggall Parsons and husband Tony, Charleston, WVÍ3/4 Coleman and wife Blakely Kneisley, Houston, TXÍ3/4 Robert and wife Amanda Kneisley, Conroe, TXÍ3/4 and Samuel and wife Brittany Kneisley, Houston, TX.

Martin also was blessed with five greatgrandchildren: Ameera Elizabeth Starcher, Amina Gineve Starcher, Nicholas Martin Long, Emerie Noelle Parsons, and Lucy Elizabeth Kneisley. He also is survived by his sisters Imogene Macias, Louise Woodson, Katie Bell Thompson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our family is grateful for the love and kindness shown by many friends, especially Bob Sasser, Jim Arnold and Fred Greer. The First United Methodist Church's Tuesday Morning Men's Prayer Breakfast group was very special to Martin and was a great source of comfort and support. We are grateful for this special communion of fellowship.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, January 22, 2016, at 11:00 am at First United Methodist Church in Conroe, Texas. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the First United Methodist Church, 4308 West Davis St. Conroe, TX 77304, or the charity of your choice.

We will forever hold Martin in our hearts. Gig 'em Aggies!