Donnie Martindale

Otis Don “Donnie” Martindale, 73, departed for his Heavenly home on December 23rd, 2021 in Dallas surrounded by family and singing led by his daughter Holly, whose voice can only be described as angelic. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, December 29th, 2021 at Crosier Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home in Cleburne, Texas at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location. Pastor Jim Cox from Parker Church of Christ will officiate. Burial will occur on a later date with a private family ceremony at the Blum Cemetery in Blum, Texas.

Donnie was born May 1, 1948 to Otis Lee and Mary Jo (Burnett) Martindale in Cleburne, Texas. He was the oldest of five children. He attended Blum high school and then went on to take Business courses at Hill College. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and regularly attended the church in Parker, Texas.
In 1966, Donnie married Mary Covey and together they welcomed three beautiful children - Heather, Heath, and Holly. Donnie and Heather shared the same birthday, so it was always a race to see who could wish each other “Happy Birthday” first as soon as the clock struck midnight on May 1st. In 1989, Donnie married Elizabeth Mulder and gained two bonus children - Jennifer and Stephen. People always commented on how much Jennifer looked “just like her dad” and Donnie never corrected them. Stephen and Donnie also shared the middle name Don. He always said he considered them his kids in his heart. Donnie and Elizabeth were married 29 years until her death in 2018.

Donnie took over the family store, Crossroads Auto Parts, in Blum, Texas in 1986 and ran it until his “retirement” around 2010. He never really did retire as he continued working on projects around the store until he was recently hospitalized before his death. Any of the children and grandchildren working around the store with Donnie learned two important lessons: the first was how to properly “dust and arrange” the shelves and the second was that a “minimum wage” does not exist in a family business, but you can get there with some hard work. All of the kids learned about having a good work ethic and how to be frugal and spend wisely from Donnie. His son Heath eventually opened up a tire and mechanic shop next to the store.
Donnie originally began working at the store in Blum with his father, Otis Lee. He was then one of the original “M”s with the founding of 4M Parts Warehouse in Cleburne, Texas. Starting from scratch in 1978, he was the first route salesman, and despite not having much to sell, customers would try to give him some kind of order just because he was so darn likable.

Donnie played music in many bands, but the most notable was with his brothers Bill and Bobby in Ramblin’ Rhythm along with Johnny Moore, and later Harold Gentry and Randy Elmore (who went on to play fiddle with Reba McEntire, Mel Tillis, and other top entertainers). In 1992, Donnie and Elizabeth opened up The End of the Trail club in Blum, Texas where many enjoyed coming out to hear good music and dance the night away. One couple even had their wedding there.

Donnie loved God, family, music, and work. He would drop everything to help someone in need at any hour of the day. He was a man of strong faith and wanted more than anything for anyone who came across him to know Jesus and walk with Him. Donnie rarely ever complained despite the many health issues he faced in the later years of his life. He always had a positive attitude and knew he was headed for a better place.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Otis Lee and Mary Jo Martindale, his wife, Elizabeth Peace Martindale, grandson, Andy Allen, and his sister-in-law, Delores Martindale.

He is survived by his children: Heather (Jason) Fisk and Holly Martindale of Teague, Texas, Heath Martindale and Stephen (Alisha) Mulder of Blum, Texas, and Jennifer (Chris) Allen of Whitney, Texas; his siblings: Bill Martindale, Judy (Tim) Bivens, and Lanny (Amey) Martindale of Cleburne, Texas, and Bobby (Darla) Martindale of Granbury, Texas. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and a host of friends and church family.

In lieu of food and flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation to the Parker Church of Christ, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice in Donnie’s name.