Alex Garza Jr.
First of all I would like to preface this by extending my deepest condolences to the family of Mr Martindale. He truly was one of a kind one of the greatest kind and I am proud to have known him for the short period of time that I did in my life.
My goodness where do I begin where do I begin to let those know who never met him the kind of man he was and to remind those of us who did know him how amazing he truly was. There are so many memories that I could share some are serious in nature some are hilarious and some are so embarrassing that they really should never be spoken of again...lol
I remember one day he stepped foot into the library as some of us were having study hall and informed us that Ronald Reagan had been shot. I remember my having this God awful ugly goat that was rust colored corduroy with a fur covered collar. Although I failed to realize that at the time it made me look like some sort of drug lord straight out of Harlem. I remember forgetting that coat in one of the classrooms the next thing I know here comes Mr Martindale wearing it strutting down the hall like he was the boss and by the way the coat didn't look any better on him either...lol. I remember how he took this poor little Hispanic kid and offered him work whether it was stomping cotton for him or working the summers there at Samnorwood preparing all the classrooms for the upcoming school year. Little did he know by giving me that job it took me out of the cotton fields working the heat of the summer all summer long for 11:00 to 12 hours a day. He really had no idea of the favor he did me. I truly do regret not having made my way back to Shamrock just to see him and reminisce a little bit. I'm sure he wouldn't have remembered me right off the bat but maybe after a little coaxing and a few stories he would have. One of the things that I have learned is something that I heard of all my life and yet really never paid it much mind and that is that "we never really know what we have until it, he, she or they are gone and that is currently where I sit as I'm writing these words.
Thank you so very much Mr. Martindale for being mentor I never knew I needed, for being the voice of reason I always needed to hear, but most of all I thank you for always being a friend. Thank you for all that you did for me. 🥺🥺
