Mallory Thomas Martin's Obituary
Mallory Thomas Martin died in Phnom Penh Cambodia May 21st as a result of an accident. He was traveling in Cambodia to renew his visa for Thailand. At the time of his death he was following his life’s work which was teaching children English in Thailand as a second language. He had set aside any thought of worldly goods, and dedicated his life to helping children. His dream was to establish a place of learning and safety for indigent young people free of any charge.
He was born in Lakeland, Florida August 29, 1973. He attended the Pat Pierce kindergarten. His teachers called him Mr. Sunshine because he beamed and smiled at them each day. He received schooling at Cleveland Court, then Southwest and on to Lakeland High, with his mom being active in each school every step of the way.
He developed the travel bug early in life. After ninth grade at Southwest Junior High he spent three weeks in Europe with his fellow classmates traveling from city to city, with his Dad tagging along as chaperone for the group. He would later spend a summer with his Aunt Dara in Seoul Korea where he developed an interest for the people of the Orient.
He enjoyed spending weekends with his Mom’ parents Tom and Virginia Williams fishing for bass in Long Pond in Archer. He appreciated the straight forward nature of his Dad’s mom Mary Martin, who he called Nana, and the kindness of his grandfather Snow Martin.
But his real passion was fishing. He spent hours fishing off the pier at Millers Marina in Boca Grande using the shrimp the women working there would give him. He would later take the M & M, named for Mike & Mallory, to fish for sharks in the pass. In his first Tarpon outing he hooked seven, one of which hangs on a wall. Recently he revived this passion for fishing with Sammy Shoemaker in the Suwanee River, thrilled to have the salt air blowing again through his hair.
At Lakeland High School he was elected class Vice President on an election ticket named Chris & Mal. Upon graduation he briefly attended Polk Community College. One weekend he traveled to Oxford Mississippi to attend a writing seminar. It was there he met John Grisham who recommended Ole Miss. He majored in English at Ole Miss, studying writing with the University’s writer in residence Barry Hannah. He obtained a degree in English literature and poetry just as his Dad had done at Sewanee years before.
After graduation the University asked him to stay for a Masters in English. The Ringling School of Art accepted him based upon his portfolio of paintings. But the germ of travel had been firmly placed. He studied the teaching of children as a second language. That study would lead him to series of employments as a teacher of elementary and middle school students in English in Seoul Korea.
His journey teaching children English in foreign lands would lead him to Thailand. It was there he explored the spiritual relationship of Buddhism and Christianity finding that the teaching of both that one should forsake material things and extend the hand of love to a child was the same.
Happiness to Mallory was riding a Moped to a nearby village, his black tie flapping over his white shirt, dust encircling his khaki pants to stimulate a group of Thai children about the wonders of literature that he would daily bring to life for them.
Mallory’s parents are Lura Williams Martin and Michael Martin. He was preceded in death by his brother Michael. He is extremely proud of his sisters Kate and Rachel, even posting in admiration in recent weeks about one “that chick is my sister”, and congratulating their mom, Joy, on a recent medical article.
He is survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Of equal importance to him are those of you who reached out to him in time of joy and in time of need to be at his side. It would be important to him that you remember him as Mr. Sunshine, show support and love to those around you, and each day grasp the hand of a child in love and support.
Mallory will be laid to rest in Laurel Hill cemetery Archer Florida June 15th next to his brother Michael. A Celebration of Life service will be held for him at Saint David’s Church, 145 E. Edgewood Drive, Lakeland, FL 33803 at 11a.m. June 19. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested in his memory to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, PO Box 399, Archer, FL 32618 or
St David’s Church.
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