Wallace Leonard Martin
Funeral services for Wallace Leonard Martin, 79, will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday January 22, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Ruston under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston.
Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston. Rev. Chris Craig will officiate.
Wallace Martin was born on September 16, 1941 in Pea Ridge, LA and passed away on January 18, 2021, after a brief illness.
He graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree in education from Louisiana Tech University and went on to earn his master’s degree and plus 30 in Education Administration. Wallace served in the Air Force Reserve for three years stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. After serving in the reserves, Wallace worked as a recruiter for the football team at the University of Arkansas, coached track at NLU, and offensive line at LA Tech.
Wallace then joined Cedar Creek as Assistant Principal and Head Track Coach. During his 17 years at Cedar Creek, his teams won a combined 12 State Championships.
Wallace spent his remaining professional life working in the insurance business for Clinton Insurance Companies. Wallace was involved in establishing the first Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at both NLU and Louisiana Tech University. He was awarded FCA Coach of the Year and Ruston’s Outstanding Man of The Year. He remained heavily involved in FCA throughout his entire adult life.
Wallace is survived by his wife of 52 years, Suzan Baskin Napper Martin; son, Greg Martin and wife Beth; daughter, Leigh Baskin Martin Robbins and husband Jay; grandchildren, Alexandra Baskin McConnell, Parks McConnell, Brennan Martin, Madison Martin, Baker Martin; mother-in-law, Sara Ann Napper; sisters-in-law, Laura Champion and husband Greg, Katherine Freeman and husband James; stepgrandchildren, Jacob Robbins, Laney Robbins, Joshua Robbins, Jack Robbins; nephew, Matthew Weaver and wife Ginger; and sister, Shirley Weaver.
Pallbearers will be Scott Hill, Scott Walker, Craig Moss, Billy Adcox, Jacob Robbins, and Brody Johnston.
Donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, NELA Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cedar Creek School, or the charity of donor’s choice.
Visitation as held on from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, January 21, 2021, at First Baptist Church in Ruston.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.
