On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Martin Collymore, dearly loved husband and father of two children, passed away at the age of 73.

Martin was born on August 4, 1949 in Panama to Leo and Agatha Collymore. After graduating from Rainbow City High School, he completed the Electrician Apprenticeship and worked as an electrician at the Panama Canal while he earned an Associate in Technology degree from the Panama Canal College. 

Martin and Laura Ann Townsend were introduced by a mutual friend, and married on January 11, 1973 in the courthouse of the city of Colon. Five months later they had a wedding at the Episcopal Church in Panama City on June 2, 1973. Martin and Laura welcomed their daughter, Karen, two years later, and 11 months after Karen’s birth, their son, Danny.  

In 1979, the family moved to Houston, Texas, where Martin earned his Inspector Commission from The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, and also his Bachelor degree from Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio while working at Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance Company. He successfully supervised a team of inspectors working in several states and presented ideas for innovation that were implemented by the company, resulting in valuable improvements to Hartford's operations.

Martin was a true renaissance man! He was very athletic.... which probably enabled him to sustain with his illness as long as he did; nurses often said he did not look like a person with heart failure. Throughout his life, he enjoyed golfing, tennis, running, baseball, biking, swimming, deep sea fishing and fishing from the shore in Galveston, and he also worked out working at a gym. He enthusiastically supported Karen and Danny in their chosen sports as well. Later in life, he especially liked fishing and golfing. He was skilled at both sports and he often returned home with large catches and golf prize winnings. He was honored when his golf club posted a permanent plaque when he hit a "Hole in One”. He would have been touched to know that a "Martin Collymore Memorial Golf Tournament” is now planned in his honor. Sports gave Martin much joy and long-lasting friendships.  

Martin loved science and technology, nature, space, and history. He was a huge fan of the television series hosted by the astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and other programs about science. As he grew sicker and unable to play golf with his friends, he and Laura became TV buddies and every night they watched his sports news and Star Trek. He was quite a Star Trek fan. He would often show off his dexterity at forming the Vulcan salute with his hand, “Live Long and Prosper”.  

Martin was also passionate about music and maintained a large collection of albums from different eras and genres. He was also a talented photographer, developing his own film in his homebuilt dark room. His favorite subjects were his family.

Martin adored his children and would give his all for them. He was his happiest self when his children were around. When they were young, he would catch the earliest flight possible or drive the entire night to get home to his family. Martin loved and cherished his wife. Smitten, he married Laura just two months after they met. They became best friends and life partners.

Martin is greatly missed by his wife, Laura; his children, Karen and Danny; his siblings, Leo (wife Melida), Talibah, Fernando (wife Caroll), nieces and nephews; his many friends, and his dog, Eli.

At Martin's request, we will not have a funeral service. The family invites his friends and loved ones to celebrate his life as he would want to be remembered---by reveling in activities that bring you joy, and if you wish, charitable contributions may be sent, in lieu of flowers, to the American Heart Association or the American Kidney Fund, or to any of your favorite causes, in Martin’s memory.

Please click this link to view our video tribute to Martin... Martin Celebration of Life Video

For more on Martin's life or to add your own story, click the link below or click the LIFE tab.
https://www.forevermissed.com/martin-d-collymore/l...