Virgil Lee Martel, 85, of Nome, Texas died Thursday August 7, 2025.
He was born on August 2, 1940, in Beaumont, to Agatha Jannise Martel and Grady Martel, Sr. He was a longtime resident of Nome, Texas. He graduated from Beaumont South Park High School in 1959. He started working for Lee Engineering in Lumberton as a shop hand and later a shop foreman, building workover rigs and oilfield equipment. He later owned and operated Martel Welding Works in Nome Texas until his retirement in 2010. He and his brother Raymond Martel started Martel Welding Works from a small garage in 1961 as a side job to help the rice farmers and ranchers in the area, and it later grew to be a large welding and fabrication business serving the area's economy. Martel Welding Works is still in the family and serves the local farmers, ranchers, and industries in the area.
Virgil was well known and respected in the Golden Triangle area as someone who could fix just about anything that was broken. He was known as an excellent fabricator who designed grain carts, plows, and oilfield equipment to serve any need. After retirement he started Martel Processing where he made sausage and boudin the way his parents and their parents processed pork, beef and deer dating back to his cajun roots. He loved making sausage for local hunters and friends. His sausage and boudin is a staple in many homes around the area. Virgil served the Nome community as a fireman, baseball coach and probably most treasured was the many people he mentored and helped during his life. Virgil was a member of the Beaumont Elks Lodge and a proud Elk. He loved to dance and spend time with friends. Virgil, (Paw Paw Lee) and (Uncle Lee) will be greatly missed by his large family and many friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Loretta Fay Martel; brother Tommy Martel and wife Sherry of Nome; children, Gary Martel and wife Susie, of Moody, Rodney Martel and wife Lori, of Nome, David Martel and wife Sheryl, of Mason, Michelle Stephens and husband Scott, of Conroe, and Kerri Hebert, of Lumberton; grandchildren, Kendal Martel, Kayla Mary and husband Adam, Erika Nielsen and husband Matt, Ranson Martel and wife Kami, Remi Martel and wife Laura, Lacey Fregia and husband Bryan, Morgan Martel, Taylor Monse and wife Rebecca, Kevin Martel and wife Victoria, Ally Yonker and husband Justin, Andrew Martel and wife Breana, Hannah Burks and husband Michael, Grant Stephens, Colton Stephens and wife Abby, Brayden Hebert, and Peyton Swearingen; 29 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.
Virgil is preceded in death by his wife Geraldine Martel; parents and 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
Visitation for Mr. Martel’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m. Followed by a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday August 12th, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church Hall 245 US-90, China, TX 77613. His interment will follow at China Cemetery, in China Texas.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to: Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 38 China, Texas 77613. First Baptist Church of Nome Texas 1985 Louisiana St, Nome. Elks Children Home 1963 FM1586, Gonzales, TX 78629, Texas Chowboys of Montgomery County, venmo: Donald-Land-
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Christus St. Elizabeth ICU unit for their care and loving compassion they exhibited to our father.